Important sectors to reopen gradually: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the important sectors will be reopened gradually after the coronavirus situation starts fading in the country.

The premier made the remark during a videoconference with the public representatives and officials of eight districts in Rajshahi division at 10am today at the prime minister's official Ganabhaban residence.

"The government has given highest priority on saving lives of the people and ensuring their livelihood during this coronavirus pandemic," she added.

Sheikh Hasina further said, "The government will consider waiving the interest of bank loans."

"All educational institutions across the country will remain closed till September if the coronavirus situation does not improve, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.

"64 secretaries have been appointed to monitor 64 districts of the country. We will make a list of the needy people apart from the ration card holders," she added.

The PM also said, "The government will take initiative to buy 21 lakh metric tonne food grains. There will not be any shortage of food in the country if general people cooperate with the government."

She further added that only 10 people are allowed to pray Taraweeh prayer during Ramadan.

Public representatives and officials of the eight districts of Rajshahi division are connected to it to discuss on the present coronavirus situation of the country. The districts are Bogura, Chapainawabganj, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Natore, Pabna, Rajshahi and Sirajgonj.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private TV channels and radio stations aired the videoconference live.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina exchanged views with the public representatives and officials of 48 districts of Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal and Mymensingh divisions in four phases via videoconferences on the current coronavirus situation.

During the videoconferences, the prime minister announced various stimulus packages and steps to offset the COVID-19 fallouts as well as gave different directives to the elected public representatives and officials to contain the deadly disease.

The lethal virus till today claimed 145 lives and infected 5,416 others in Bangladesh since the country first reported COVID-19 positive cases on March 8.

Globally, nearly three million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus and 203,308 have died in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were detected in China in December 2019.