Lockdown will not be required if people follow health rules: Health Minister

There will be no need for a fresh lockdown in the country if people comply with hygiene rules, Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said. 

He stated this while addressing a function organised to distribute free fertiliser and seeds among farmers in Manikganj Sadar Upazila on Friday.

"America and France have adopted fresh lockdowns, but we do not want to go that way. Our country will not need a lockdown if people follow the health rules," the minister said. 

He noted that the rate of novel coronavirus infections is surging and said this is not a good sign at all. Some people are not even aware about the virus – which is not right. 

The health minister reiterated his call for the public to wear masks until an effective vaccine arrives. 

He revealed that the recovery rate from the contagious virus in the country is 81%. 

The mortality rate in Bangladesh is lower than in any other country in terms of population density, he claimed, saying that this is thanks to the successful efforts of his ministry.   

Over importing vaccines, Minister Maleque said the vaccine will be brought to the country as soon as it hits the market. 

"We have made an agreement to bring in the vaccine. It will be distributed among all the countrymen in phases," he added. 

With Manikganj Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Iqbal Hossain in the chair, the programme was attended by senior government officials and ruling party leaders of the upazila.