Covid-19 sample collection booth opens at Dhaka Reporters Unity

Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud inaugurated a Covid-19 sample collection booth at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Monday. 

During his inaugural speech, the minister said journalists are working amid serious health risks. 

"Mass media outlets are operating even during the shutdown. Journalists are playing a vital role in curbing rumours. So far, around 100 journalists have been infected with Covid-19 and we have also lost a few of them," said the minister.  

The minister sought salvation for the departed souls. 

Dr Hasan Mahmud continued, saying some media outlets are sacking their employees while some others are not paying salaries to their staff. 

So, he urged the mass media outlet owners to stop sacking employees and pay overdue salaries.  

Dr Iqbal Kabir, director (planning and research) of the health directorate, said that journalists are frontline warriors during this novel coronavirus pandemic. 

"The health directorate will be supporting the DRU to reduce risks and ensure medical treatment," he said. 

Gradually, the health directorate will support the journalists: via telemedicine, with Covid-19 testing, facilitating organisational quarantines, and getting ambulance services, added the health directorate director.  

DRU President Rafiqul Islam Azad and General Secretary Riaz Chowdhury were present at the event, among others.