Covid-19 survivor cops can play vital role during second wave: DMP

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has formed several teams and issued 10-point instructions to protect its personnel from the second wave of Covid-19.

To implement these measures, policemen who survived Covid-19 will play a vital role.

At a meeting held at DMP headquarters on Tuesday, the DMP decided this in an attempt to reduce the death and infection rate of Covid-19 among policemen.

DMP additional commissioner Mir Rezaul Alam, who chaired the meeting, said the DMP has taken some measures keeping the upcoming winter season in mind and considering the current Covid-19 situation in the country as well as around the world.

Police personnel who recovered from Covid-19 will play a vital role in the coming days, he added.  

A high-official of the DMP, who was present at the meeting, told The Business Standard that there was no precedent when Covid-19 hit the country. A good number of policemen were infected and died while performing their duties as frontline fighters.

According to sources at police headquarters, 80 policemen died of Covid-19 and 18,130 police personnel were affected.  Among them, 3,081 are in the DMP.

''As the winter season is coming, Covid-19's second wave may hit us. For that we have started our work to face it,'' he said.

According to the meeting source, the DMP, dividing into two parts – south and north – will form a rapid response team to ensure social distancing and maintain the health rules. A total of 35 officers of the DMP will coordinate the force. 

Under the supervision of an officer, some active and efficient police members will work on the force, he added.

They will also work as focal point officers. The officers will take over duty to ensure ambulances, doctors and food for infected members of the force. 

Police officials will have to wear masks and use hand sanitiser while discharging their duties. Every police station must follow health rules when people come there to receive services, said officials. 

After duty, every policeman must take a shower before entering the barracks. Drivers and other policemen of any patrol team must wear masks and maintain social distancing while discharging their duties. 

The 10-point instructions include: any policeman or civil staff who falls ill with a cold-related disease must inform their unit in-charge as soon as possible and through the responsible officer, will be sent to doctors; after coming from vacation, every police official must be quarantined; police or civil staff who have come in contact with  Covid-19 patients will be quarantined; officers will keep contact with doctors for updated information about Covid-19 infected members; and police officers who will deal with Covid-19 patients at quarantine facilities must take safety measures, including wearing a mask, gloves plus personal protective equipment.