Health minister urges expats not to return to Bangladesh now

Health Minister Zahid Malik has requested expatriate Bangladeshis not to return to the country now as the novel coronavirus has already spread to many countries.

During a press briefing after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Secretariat today, he also urged those who have already come to Bangladesh recently to stay in self-quarantine.

"We have sufficient coronavirus kits and other medical preparations. We are considering import of more if needed," Zahid Malik added.

The minister also said the government will take steps to monitor the market of masks and hand sanitiser.

He suggested that school and college authorities keep enough hand-sanitisers at their institutions so that students wash their hands frequently for safety.

Posters, banners and leaflets on awareness regarding coronavirus will be distributed, the minister said further.

Zahid Malik urged all to avoid social gatherings and crowded places.

The minister further said, "About 100 beds have been kept ready for coronavirus patients in each districts except Dhaka. In the capital, 500 beds are kept ready for coronavirus patients."

The government has also suspended on-arrival visas for travellers from four countries – China, South Korea, Italy and Iran.

The World Bank has declared an aid of $100 million for Bangladesh to fight coronavirus, the minister said.