PM agrees on zoning system to curb virus spread: Cabinet secy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina agreed on the zoning system on Sunday to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, said Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam.

He made the disclosure on Monday after the regular meeting of the cabinet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

When reporters asked him whether the meeting discussed about the dividing country in red, yellow and green zones, the cabinet secretary said, "Honorable prime minister agreed with the zoning decision yesterday. Next course of actions will be done in administrative way."

"The issue was not discussed in the cabinet meeting. But the Epidemic Diseases Act has the provision for certain steps to control any disease. Health ministry and health directorate are authorized to take steps accordingly," he added. 

The areas having Covid-19 patients will be labeled as red, yellow or green zones according to the rate of infections. Certain restrictions will be imposed in red and yellow zones to contain the virus spread.

Bangladesh confirmed 42 more deaths from Covid-19 today– the 93rd day since the first infection was detected. This is the highest single-day death toll from Covid-19 in the country. With this, the total death toll has risen to 930.

Besides, the country also confirmed 2,735 new infections in the past 24 hours while testing 12,944 samples. The figure pushed the total confirmed cases to 68,504.