Bangladesh
Will Myanmar learn its lessons?
Myanmar is a good example of what not to do when managing a state. The military takeover was coming given the way the situation was shaping up and the scenario is all one big mess now. It’s no longer Suu-Kyi’s game to play and the army is wishing that it didn’t have such risky sports ambitions either. Both are now caught as small cogs in a tournament where they are at best proxies and the worst victims of both old wars within and a new cold war. The West is challenging China and Myanmar is a hapless battleground for the moment as Myanmar is nowhere near to solving its own internal ethnic war driven state.
Politics of who’s who
Myanmar’s internal politics does matter but it has been in the doldrums for so long that it carries little value. Its only significant achievement as far as political success is concerned relates to the expulsion of the Rohingyas which everyone cheered. The elections were hardly a triumph as it has only triggered a situation which has made Myanmar’s long term failure as an attempt to construct a state even more absurd.
That Myanmar was going to be in this mess couldn’t be predicted when they were throwing the Rohingyas out. The reasons are never clear as to why this was needed as the Rohingyas neither consumed much national resources nor were a threat to anyone’s supremacy aspiration. They had simply served as a scapegoat for everyone. Suu Kyi, increasingly feeling the heat to be more “Myanmar” assented to the desire of the army to throw them out and gain some much needed popularity.
When the ICJ trial issue came up Suu kyi tried to up end the army and went full throttle to demonize the trial and tried to turn the issue into one of Myanmar people’s supremacy question. It was very patriotic which in that land means Bamar/Burman supremacy. That led to her electoral victory but what she or others expected was that the army takeover would happen so quickly. The army had no intention of giving her a second chance and with their civilian party doing so poorly, there was no reason to give her a round two.
Also read: Myanmar cuts wireless internet service amid coup protests
One after another, the dominos had fallen and once all had, only the final pusher, the army remained. Suu Kyi was gone in a night and with it the stability that could make it an attractive investment destination for many including the West. That the world is run according to convenience and not political morality of any kind should have been obvious from the past.
Does Myanmar justify being called a state?
Currently, global media including Bangladesh are busy deifying the protestors in Myanmar against the military takeover. To the world, thanks to the media campaign they are heroes who are resisting military rule. Yet this is the same crowd which took to the streets to protest aid to the Rohingyas.
“Hundreds of Buddhists in Myanmar have tried to block a shipment of aid to Muslims in Rakhine state, where the United Nations has accused the military of ethnic cleansing. Several hundred people tried to stop a boat being loaded with 50 tonnes of aid. Some protestors carried sticks and metal bars and threw petrol bombs. A witness said protesters threw petrol bombs before police dispersed them by firing into the air. The shipment, being organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was bound for the north of the state where insurgent attacks on August 25 sparked a military backlash. The violence has sent more than 420,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to neighbouring Bangladesh but many remain in Myanmar, hiding in fear of being caught up in more violence without food and other supplies, aid workers believe. The protest was a testament to rising communal animosity that threatens to complicate the delivery of vital supplies. The violence and the exodus of refugees has brought international condemnation and raised questions about the commitment of Government leader Aung San Suu Kyi to human rights, and prospects for Myanmar.” (abc.net.au. 21/9/ 2017)
Trying to establish the fight as a form of struggle for democracy is inaccurate. It’s largely an internal conflict of a state where ethnic question has been the key to power balancing and managing. As long as the Rohingyas were inside the land, Suu Kyi had a chance of surviving but with no Rohingyas to scapegoat and use as a shield of hate, Suu Kyi became the target. The insurance based on hate was gone.
Also read: Myanmar still mired in violence 2 months after military coup
There are few if any conventional participatory states in the world. What went around in the name of “democracy” was basically the formula for Western domination. It was sourced in the politics of the cold war but the collapse of the Soviet Union showed that states survive if its economics works not the other way around. And in that battle, China is gaining while the West is declining.
Myanmar’s problems bigger than elections
In Myanmar, the funding of the protestors is drawing increasing suspicions. No one can afford to be on strike for long in a lower end economy. Civil or military rule has no better economics to offer in either space. For a hostile racist people and supporters of genocide, so much for the sake of “democracy’ is worthy of questions. But certain facts are obvious. Longer the battle of attrition continues, lesser are the chance of any independent decision making on either side.
In such a situation, the army rule is set to continue with a weakened army which will make everyone happy but China the most as it was speculated that it was not being listened to by the army anymore.
However, the obvious targeting of China is clear. That its stake in a country it has helped to rule is stronger than all others is beyond doubt. Meanwhile Russia has also moved in.
China is the biggest supporter of the ethnic armies now in Myanmar fighting the central army which it also supports. While it won’t tolerate yaba inside, it’s a Chinese supported “state” that profits from the 75 billion dollar yaba economy. These states with their independent armies have no intention to rejoin Naypyitaw and that’s why Myanmar has been short sized to what the army controls.
Myanmar’s worry about who rules is not the biggest issue but how it can disintegrate even more. The prospect of endless war and strife threatens it and as long as they remain the army is not going to depart. Everyone in Myanmar believes that ethnic conflict can be solved through military violence or ethnic cleansing of the more vulnerable. There is no reason to think that this attitude will change and no reason either that Myanmar will be a better place to govern soon.
(This article was first published on dhakacourier.com.bd)
Global Covid cases top 130 million
The world hit another grim Covid-19 milestone on Saturday, as the total caseload surpassed 130 million.
According to Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the total case count reached 130,126,796 while the death toll from the deadly virus climbed to 2,836,682 on Saturday morning.
The US has so far logged 30,606,648 cases, with 554,069 fatalities.
The North American country has been sowing the world's highest number of cases and deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
In Brazil, a total of 12,910,082 people have so far been found infected with the virus. The death toll in the country stood at 328,206 as Saturday morning, as per the university data.
In March alone, as many as 66,868 people died of Covid-19 in the Latin America's largest and most populous country.
Also read; Global Covid-19 death toll hits 2.7 million
Mexico is the third worst-hit country in the world in terms of deaths, as it has recorded 203,664 deaths as of Saturday morning.
India’s total caseload and fatalities currently stand at 12,303,131 and 163,396, respectively, as per official figures.
Coronavirus cases were first reported in China in December 2019. To date, countries around the world have reported 130 million cases and 2.8 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins data.
Several vaccines have been developed to fight the virus. Those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Oxford-AstraZeneca are among them.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh Friday recorded more than 6,000 new coronavirus cases for the second day in the row, as the government ramps up efforts to contain the transmission of the virus.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh reports highest daily cases in 9 months
It was the fourth time in five days that Bangladesh reported its highest daily coronavirus cases, when the health authorities confirmed 6,830 new infections on Friday afternoon.
On Wednesday, the number of new cases was 5,358. It was 5,042 on Tuesday and 5,181 on Monday.
There is hardly any bed available at hospitals treating coronavirus patients. The government is increasing the number of beds and Covid-designated hospitals to deal with the situation.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 624,594 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the 24-hour period until Friday morning, 2,473 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 547,411.
Bangladesh reported its first cases on March 8 last year and confirmed the first death from the virus 10 days later.
Meanwhile, the fatalities reached 9,155 Friday, with 50 new deaths. The mortality rate now stands at 1.47 percent.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 6,000+ cases for 2nd straight day
Coronavirus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
Govt strengthens protective steps
The daily surge prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on March 29 to prevent the transmission of the virus.
On the same day, the Health Ministry proposed strict measures like partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates.
Other recommendations made by the ministry include closure of amusement centres and picnic spots, ban on religious gatherings, limiting wedding ceremonies, strengthening quarantine systems, limiting passengers in public transport, and limiting attendance in offices.
It also suggested strong enforcement of the ‘no mask, no service’ policy, increasing the number of mobile courts and slapping fines on health guideline violators.
Authorities in various districts have shut down amusement centres and are urging people to wear masks. But a large number of people are still reluctant to follow Covid protocols, putting themselves as well as others around them at risk.
Vaccination drive
The government launched a countrywide vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India.
Bangladesh inked an agreement with Serum in December last year for acquiring 30 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Serum is supposed to supply the doses between January and June this year – 5 million each month.
Chandpur: Restaurant, party host fined Tk 1 lakh for violating Covid norms
A mobile court in Chandpur has imposed fines of Tk one lakh on a restaurant and the organiser of a post-wedding party at the venue for violating Covid prevention protocols.
Executive magistrate Mohammad Ujjal Hossain on Friday fined Rasuighar Chinese Restaurant and Party Centre in Chandpur district town and Abdul Latif of Faridganj upazila Tk 50,000 each for not adhering to government's Covid guidelines.
Ujjal Hossain said the local administration has issued guidelines to contain the spread of coronavirus as the country has been of late seeing a surge in Covid-19 cases as well as deaths.
Also read: Restaurant business bleeds as Coronavirus cases surge
Besides, the mobile court also fined nine people Tk 1,900 for ignoring Covid health guidelines across the district town on the same day.
Govt strengthens protective steps
The daily surge prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive on March 29 to prevent the transmission of the virus.
On the same day, the Health Ministry proposed strict measures like partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates.
Read Safe Lifestyle in COVID-19 Lockdown: Do's, Don'ts, and Precautions
Other recommendations made by the ministry include closure of amusement centres and picnic spots, ban on religious gatherings, limiting wedding ceremonies, strengthening quarantine systems, limiting passengers in public transport, and limiting attendance in offices.
It also suggested strong enforcement of the ‘no mask, no service’ policy, increasing the number of mobile courts and slapping fines on health guideline violators.
Authorities in various districts have shut down amusement centres and are urging people to wear masks. But a large number of people are still reluctant to follow Covid protocols, putting themselves as well as others around them at risk.
Read Covid surge: Mobile courts to ensure mask use soon
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh on Friday recorded more than 6,800 new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row, as the government ramps up efforts to contain the transmission of the virus.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 624,594 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Read 25 fined in city for not wearing mask
Vaccination drive
The government launched a countrywide vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India.
Bangladesh inked an agreement with Serum in December last year for acquiring 30 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Serum is supposed to supply the doses between January and June this year – 5 million each month.
Read Mobile court demolishes six illegal brick kilns in Magura
Japan confirms largest-ever loan package to Bangladesh
Japan on Friday confirmed largest ever loan package of $ 3,393 million for Bangladesh to bankroll development projects in the country.
This is the highest amount of loan provided by Japan to any country.
Also read: Economic ties with Bangladesh to make leap: Japanese PM
Fatima Yasmin, secretary of the Economic Relations Division and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki revealed this to media following a virtual meeting.
Also read: BIG-B important for Bangladesh, others with enhanced connectivity: Japanese economist
Cox's Bazar falls silent as restrictions on tourists kick in
Tourist spots and recreational centres at Cox's Bazar including the beach, have fallen silent as a result of the closure of all tourist attractions in the face of the second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak.
No tourists who are already there are allowed to enter the beach. The beach shops were also closed due to lack of tourists.
However, hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants and shopping malls have been kept open on the condition of complying with hygiene rules. Tourists staying in Cox's Bazar have also started returning.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner and President of the District Corona Infection Prevention Committee Md. Mamunur Rashid said a directive from the tourism ministry reached the district administration on Thursday (April 1st) regarding closure of tourist spots.
Also read: Tourism suspended in Sundarbans till Apr 15
According to the directive, all tourist spots and entertainment centers including Cox's Bazar beach would be closed till April 14.
The district administration, tourist police and other concerned people would take actions as per the instructions of the government.
Tourists were not allowed to enter the beach after receiving instructions from the ministry, said Mamunur.
Besides, all kinds of tourism related businesses including beach recreation umbrellas (kitkats), beach-bikes and jetskis had been shut down. The patrol of the tourist police had been intensified to keep a watch on the tourist centers including the beaches, concluded the Deputy Commissioner.
Nur Mohammad Rabbi, manager of Seagull Hotel said that advance room bookings at hotel, motels were being canceled due to the ban imposed on tourism.
Also read: Covid 19: Movement of tourist ships on Teknaf-St Martin's route suspended
Assistant Superintendent of Tourist Police Cox's Bazar Zone Chowdhury Mizanuzzaman said no one was allowed to enter the beach. Besides, all the shops near the beach had been closed.
Cox's Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Amin Al Parvez said, "A temporary shutdown has been declared to prevent public gatherings. Tourist spots, including the beach, will be reopened if the Corona situation returns to normal."
Earlier on April 1, the Cox's Bazar district administration had announced closure of all recreational centres in the district including the sea beach until April 14.
Moreover, the movement of tourist ships from Cox's Bazar to St.Martin's Island would also remain suspended during this period.
March Madness
Amid all the celebrations surrounding the Golden Jubilee of Independence and the Mujib Centennial in March, there is one undeniable that fact that we can no longer run away from: it was the month we allowed the Second Wave of COVID-19 get out of hand and out of control.
The hospitals are filling up as the country records a rising number of new coronavirus cases but the battle for survival is somewhat uncertain for the more serious patients who require intensive care.
As of March 30, hospitals dedicated for treating coronavirus patients in Dhaka have 108 ICU beds but at the moment, only four are available, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The situation at private hospitals is no different. There are 188 ICU beds but 144 of them are occupied. People with low or fixed income prefer government hospitals where the treatment is cheap. The cost at private hospitals is much higher.
The acute shortage of much-needed ICU beds means that only a fraction of the serious and critical patients will get life-saving treatment. Bangladesh health authorities reported a record number of cases on three out of the four days till April 1, when it shattered the previous day’s record of 5300-odd cases by reporting a whopping 6,469.
Additionally it reported 59 new deaths, the second-highest toll in the entire outbreak since March 2020. The highest remains 62 last June 30 – but the way things are going, it only seems a matter of time before that is eclipsed. The second wave is well and truly here with a vengeance, and it seems set to be much worse than the first.
“It’ll be very difficult to manage the situation,” said Prof Dr Mohammad Robed Amin, DGHS Director of Non-Communicable Diseases and media cell representative.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 6,000+ cases for 2nd straight day
ICU beds running short
Among the 10 dedicated hospitals, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Kuwait Maitree Hospital have 16 beds, Kurmitola General Hospital has 10, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) has 10, Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute & Hospital has 16, Sarkari Karmachari Hospital in Fulbaria has six, Central Police Hospital at Rajarbagh has 15.
Two beds each are available at Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital and the Central Police Hospital in Rajarbagh.
Meanwhile, the hospitals are running out of general beds as the number of patients increases. Of the 2,461 beds, 2,127 are currently occupied.
Among the private hospitals, Bangladesh Specialized Hospital has nine ICU beds, Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Hospital has 30, Square Hospital has 19, United Hospital has 22, Evercare Hospital has 40, Asgar Ali Hospital has 32, Ibn Sina Hospital has five, and Impulse Hospital has 35, and AMZ Hospital has 10.
Also read: Covid-19 surge lays bare another crisis: Scant ICU beds and specialists
Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Hospital has eight beds available, Square Hospital has five, United Hospital has eight, Evercare Hospital has six, Asgar Ali Hospital has 12, Ibn Sina Hospital has one, Impulse Hospital has three and AMZ Hospital has two.
Among the 925 general beds, 528 are occupied.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque warned that the rise in coronavirus cases at the current rate would overwhelm the healthcare system.
DGHS Secretary Abdul Mannan told our sister newsagency UNB that people must follow the health protocols and directives issued by the government to bring down the cases.
Dr Amin said they are emphasising setting up ICUs at hospitals which have additional space to meet the increasing demand. He noted that the number of ICU specialists must be increased along with ICU beds. “We don’t have enough ICU specialists,” he said.
Prof Amin said the government is planning to install new ICUs at the district hospitals. “The pressure on [hospitals in] Dhaka will lessen if we set up ICUs at district level.”
The recent spurt in cases prompted the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to issue an 18-point directive this week for the next two weeks to contain the spread. Health Minister Maleque said they proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Covid-19 transmission rates.
The government launched a countrywide vaccination campaign on February 7. Those who are 40 years or above and the frontline workers are being prioritised. Till March 29, 5,139,679 people received the first dose, according to government data.
What can be done?
As Bangladesh is experiencing record-breaking Covid cases, experts think ‘health emergency’, ‘nighttime curfew’ and area-based lockdown can be the right measures to slow down the virus transmission.
They think the 18-point directive issued by the government on Monday is not enough as the coronavirus situation is going from bad to worse with both high infection and mortality rates in the country.
Also read: Fighting the Second Wave: Govt seeks stricter implementation of PMO directives
The experts warned that Bangladesh may experience an ‘explosive’ Covid situation in the coming months, breaking down the already overwhelmed medical system, if unnecessary public movements and mass gatherings cannot be controlled with the strict enforcement of laws.
They also suggested ramping up contact tracing, mass testing, expanding ICU capacity and ensuring necessary treatment facilities and equipment in every hospital, including upazila health complexes, since the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has identified 31 districts as risky for the virus outbreak with a high infection rate.
According to public health expert Dr MH Chowdhury (Lenin), chairman of the medicine department at Health and Hope Hospital, the government’s directives are inconsistent with the coronavirus transmission pace.
“When it’s necessary to stop all the social and political gatherings right now, it was said to be discouraged in the directives. When a nighttime curfew should be enforced from 6pm, people are only asked not to come out of their homes unnecessarily. The shopping malls should be allowed to remain open for at best six hours on a limited scale, but the government said both sellers and buyers in shopping malls must follow the health rules,” he said.
Dr Lenin said all types of mass gatherings should be controlled strictly, but the government asked to hold public exams maintaining health hygiene rules, which is not possible.
“People are discouraged to go to tourist and recreation spots, movie houses and theatres, and all kinds of fairs. But the Ekushey Book Fair is going on in full swing,” he pointed out.
Dr Lenin said the government has instructed all to maintain health safety rules in public transport, but people do not do that for lack of monitoring. “Strong enforcement of law is necessary to force people to abide by those rules.”
Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, former director (disease control) of the DGHS, said, “The directives are not time-befitting and consistent with the current pandemic situation. These instructions should have been given at least one month back when the virus cases started surging.”
Dr Be-Nazir said when elections can be held amid such a situation, how can the government ask people not to arrange social programmes and mass gatherings?
The health expert said the government has given a directive to shift kitchen markets to open places, but the shopping malls will remain open. “When people can go to shopping malls in enclosed areas, where’s the problem if they visit the kitchen markets?” he asked.
“I think the directives have not been formulated considering the severity of the current Covid situation. So, these directives may not help contain the virus outbreak. We should take the corona situation seriously and come up with serious actions. Or else, we’ll have to pay a heavy price in the days to come.”
Dr Be-Nazir said all-types of mass gatherings and unnecessary public movement must be stopped to overcome the situation.
Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
“We should announce a health emergency by forming a high-powered committee to enforce it by taking necessary decisions to tackle the situation. The committee should be given the power to issue orders to curtail different services and close shops, offices and restaurants, to involve any organisation in healthcare management. “Adequate funds should be allocated so that the committee can take necessary preventive and curative measures.”
He said the committee should also be empowered to convert any community centre, convention centre, hotel or other institutions into temporary hospitals, quarantine or isolation centres.
The expert said the government should engage police, Rab, Ansar, BGB and even the army to enforce the health emergency. “A situation should be created so that people don’t venture out of home without masks and any valid reason.”
‘Suspend the Book Fair’
Dr Lenin said the Ekushey Book Fair should be suspended for at least two weeks while the tourist and recreation spots, movie houses and theatres should be closed right now as part of a move to control mass gatherings and mass movement.
He said people have long been asked to wear masks, but they are not paying heed to it. “So, a heavy fine should be realised from those who don’t wear masks.”
Also read: Nat’l committee for stopping Ekushey Book Fair as Covid cases surge
Dr Lenin said putting the entire country under lockdown is the last weapon to control the mass gatherings, but it will harm the economy badly. “So, we should use other preventative measures like a curfew from 6pm to 6am to control the situation.”
Besides, he said, the government should identify the areas where the infection rate is very high and declare those as ‘red zones’.
“We need to now enforce area-based lockdown in the red zones. The situation has reached such a level that we won’t be able to control the infection rate without controlling the movement of people in corona hotspots.”
Dr Lenin said the offices that can be run online should take immediate steps to keep their employees at home. “Other offices that can’t be run through online should follow skeleton duty schedules to lessen the presence of their staff.”
“The main thing is that we must control the mass movement and mass gathering as much as possible. We should take all possible steps in this regard. Or else, the pandemic will take a tsunami turn in Bangladesh.”
Prof Muzaherul Huq, a former adviser to WHO South-East Asia region, said the government should take all-out steps to tackle the situation in the days to come by ensuring proper treatment facilities in all the district and upazila hospitals since the virus case has been gradually growing across the country.
“If the virus continues to spread for two more weeks, it’ll put a serious pressure on the healthcare system. The Prime Minister has issued an instruction to ensure ventilators and ICU beds in every district hospital. The government should implement this instruction immediately. There should be sufficient oxygen supply and other necessary equipment in all the upazila health complexes to deal with the Covid patients,” he said.
Prof Huq said the Covid patients must be identified quickly and kept in isolation centres. “We also need to locate people who come in contact with the Covid patients and quarantine them.”
Too little, too late?
In the wake of the alarming spike in Coronavirus cases, the government towards the end of the week decided to take a tougher position to implement the 18-point directive issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in an effort to contain the spread.
The move came after the country recorded its highest-ever daily coronavirus cases (6,469) and registered more than 5,000 cases for the fourth straight day on Thursday (Apr 1).
Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge
Following the health protocols, all ministries and organisations have been instructed to use only 50 percent of their manpower in office for two straight weeks by State Minister of Public Administration Farhad Hossain.
Strict instructions have been issued to all the ministries and associated organisations asking them to follow the directives, he said.
“We already started following the instruction from Wednesday and the rest of the ministries started implementing the directive from Thursday. All ministries and departments will form a duty roster for all their staffs,” he said.
One half of the staff will attend office three days and two days from home in the first week and the second half will work the same way in the second week, Hossain said, adding that pregnant and officials above 55 years old will work online from home.
Besides, all of the private and non-government organisations and offices were also directed to employ 50 percent workers in office and rest through online from home, the State Minister said. Pregnant employees and officials above 55 years old will work online from home.
“We will ensure that no one go outside after 10 pm unnecessarily and also launched monitoring programme on the grass root level. Law enforcers will work in this regard,” Farhad Hossain said.
The government will decide the next course of action after maintaining all the directives for two weeks and review the decision after April 12, he said.
The Home Ministry said as the 18-point directive landed on Monday, police already prepared a work plan to implement the instructions across the country including the capital.
Police check-posts have been installed at different places including Dhaka and a massive campaign is operated by cops and local administration to raise awareness among people, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told UNB.
Moreover Health Minister Zahid Maleque said the administration will do everything to constant monitor the implementation of the health directives “The way number of patients is rising if the scenario continues, no hospitals will have seats to admit patients. All must act immediately to curb the massive transmission. The pandemic might take a devastating form if we fail to follow the 18-directives issued by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the minister said.
Secretary of Health Services Division Abdul Mannan said they have already started following the health directive strictly.
Transport restrictions
Bangladesh Railway is operating keeping 50 percent of its seats vacant to curb the transmission of Covid-19 since Wednesday, said Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan.
Half of the 50 percent railway tickets will be available online and rest will be sold at the stations, the minister said adding that “We won’t carry any passenger without following the health guideline and take all necessary measures to ensure hygiene in trains and stations.”
Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association Secretary General Khandakar Enayetullah said all buses are carrying 50 percent of passengers with the direction of the government.
BRTA Chairman Nur Mohammad Majumdar told UNB that they have taken overall measures in this regard and mobile courts will be operated to prevent transport workers from violating the instructions.
State Minister for Shipping Ministry Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said they are also maintaining the 18-point directive by taking only 50 percent of passengers.
Passengers will have to step into launch after following all health guidelines otherwise legal action will be taken, he warned.
Meanwhile incoming flights from all countries of Europe except the United Kingdom have been prohibited to prevent coronavirus transmission, said Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman. The decision to exempt the UK has baffled observers.
Twelve other countries that have been placed on the list alongside Europe are Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Jordan, Lebanon, Peru, Qatar, South Africa, Turkey and Uruguay.
The prohibition will remain in action from April 3 to April 18, Rahman said, adding that the airlines can only carry transit passengers from these nations during this time and they will have to remain inside the Airport terminal during the transit period.
The returnees from foreign countries who are allowed in will have to remain in institutional quarantine for 14 days at a quarantine centre or specific hotel, he said.
Besides, all travellers must have Covid-19 negative certificates (Sample collected within 72 hours) for leaving or entering the country, he added. Passengers will have to wear face shields along with masks.
All the directives came into effect since March 30 and will remain in force until further notice, he said.
Besides, the Election Commission (EC) late in the week postponed all elections scheduled for April 11. The National Cricket League has also been postponed midway.
Movement of all tourist ships on Teknaf-Saint Martin's Island route have been suspended, and all tourist spots in places like Cox’s Bazar and Sylhet have been instructed to close.
However, movement of vessels carrying regular passengers and daily essentials will remain normal, subjected to maintaining health guidelines.
Additional Reporting by AR Jahangir and Masudul Hoque
(This article was first published on dhakacourier.com.bd)
India hopes Dhaka will address Hefazat's anti-Modi protests
India Friday hoped that the Bangladesh government would aptly address the challenges posed by protests spearheaded by Hefazat-e-Islam, an prominent Islamist group, in Chittagong during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the neighbouring country.
Modi was in Bangladesh on March 26-27 to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country's independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
But the Indian PM's visit triggered violent protests in several parts of Bangladesh, leaving at least 12 people dead. In the city of Chittagong, the protests were led by Hefazat-e-Islam.
Also read: Hefazat’s day-long hartal ends amid violence, clashes
"As far as the violence is concerned, we have always been against fundamentalism and extremism. We are confident that the Bangladesh government will address the challenge," Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told the media in Delhi.
Even though Hefazat-e-Islam claims to be a “non-political” outfit, the group has gained prominence after the fall of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest Islamist political party.
Also read: Hefazat activists stage demo in Chattogram; Hartal tomorrow
Apparently making it clear that the protests by Hefazat-e-Islam would not cast any shadow on the amicable ties between India and Bangladesh, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "Modi's visit to Bangladesh had facilitated significant decisions to reinforce the legacy of 1971 and this is in furtherance of India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation."
Ahead of his two-day visit to Dhaka, Modi tweeted: “Our partnership with Bangladesh is an important pillar of our Neighbourhood First policy, and we are committed to further deepen and diversify it. We will continue to support Bangladesh’s remarkable development journey, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership."
Central bank to support SMEs build resilience
Bangladesh Bank will provide a total of Tk 60,000 crore financing to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by 2023 to ensure economic resilience that will enhance GDP, employment, and inclusive development.
Deputy Governor of the central bank Abu Farah Md Naser said this at the Virtual Dialogue titled “Creating Resilient Recovery for Businesses through Enhancing Investment Opportunities: A Case of Southwest Bangladesh.”
Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) with support from the PROKAS program of the British Council organized the dialogue.
As the Chief Guest of the programme, Md Naser also said the Bank has taken the initiative to extend the timeline of the current stimulus package by 2023.
“Some Tk2,000 crore collateral-free loan opportunity for SMEs made available under the credit guarantee scheme should be utilized as much as possible,” he added.
He held the example of City Bank’s Leno financing model that uses digital technology to process loan applications in the shortest possible time and encouraged other banks to follow the example. For banks operating in grassroots level, he encouraged digital technology to ensure that loan evaluation and processing can be managed in the shortest possible time.
Also read: DCCI for SME act, new definition of CMSMEs
Md Naser thanked BUILD for organizing the meeting to address the concerns of cottage, micro, and small enterprises from remote regions.
“The central bank is also facilitating expansion of aggregate demand by nurturing Bank-MFI linkages that has a base of three crore people across the country,” he added.
During the discussion, the Mayor of the Mongla Municipality of the Bagerhat District Sk Abdur Rahman, mentioned that the neediest section of the population: the cottage enterprises, fishermen and the working class have largely missed the benefits of the package.
He suggested that banks should provide not only credit but also technical support to ensure that the credit is properly utilized for repayment.
“Training and capacity building provided by the government at the local level should be scaled up,” he encouraged speedy completion of the Mongla airport to ensure accelerated investment and development in the region.
BUILD Chairperson Abul Kasem Khan noted that the COVID-19 has affected business all around the country, especially the MSMEs. The timely initiatives by the Prime Minister and the government to prepare the country to tackle the health challenges as well as economic effects of the pandemic combined with the all-out action by the Bangladesh Bank and other government agencies were instrumental in protecting the country from the worst consequences.
Also read: CMSMEs can now take term loan under stimulus package
“Aside from supply side interventions, there also need to be demand side initiatives so that the income and consumption of the ordinary people can be boosted to reinject dynamism in the economy.,” he added.
He requested for social safety bond for the small entrepreneurs and some tax changes in the Tax policy and extend tax incentives so that large scale industries can also sustained.
BUILD’s CEO Ferdaus Ara Begum informed in reply to a point raised by BB that BUILD is working closely with the Ministry of Industries to get the definition of cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises to ensure that smaller and vulnerable businesses receive more policy priority and support.
“As BUILD continues to engage in research and facilitation of the businesses in Mongla and Bagerhat the support from the central bank will be essential,” she also added.
In the keynote presentation, Md. Tahmid Zami, Additional Research Director of BUILD noted that in the local BSCIC Industrial Estate of Mongla, around 50% businesses are out of operation and only 20% workers are retained in many factories.
“The coconut oil mills, rice mills, small traders, and many other sectors have faced tremendous shock due to the COVID-19. Finance should be distributed to the cottage, micro and small enterprises without stringent requirements for rescuing the endangered businesses,´ Tahmid added.
He referred the e-survey in the form of a KPI conducted by BUILD during February-March, 2021 covering chamber representatives, local Government and BSCIC, Bank officials and Businesses.
Also read: SMEs are lifeline to country's economy: Tipu Munshi
Husne Ara Shikha, General Manager of SME and Special Credits Department informed about 6% of total money disbursed for SME have gone of Southwest region, in case of women, in number it is about 5.43% of the total and noted that there are both positive signs and mixed results in distributing credit to SMEs in the region.
Syed Abdul Momen, Head of SMEs of BRAC Bank mentioned that the definition of SMEs should be modified to target the cottage, micro and smaller enterprises more effectively.
The decentralized credit management of BRAC and the agent banking sets a good example for the banking industry of the country for meeting the needs of the businesses in the rural level.
S Humayun Kabir, Vice President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association requested for a proper insurance policy for the shrimp industry as well as higher incentives such as cash subsidy to ensure better development of the high-potential sector. Cold storage facility for the shrimp and fish sectors should be boosted.
He further suggested to consider the sector as agro-based sector while extending support facilities. In case of getting finance Banks and FI request for higher collateral considering uncertainty of the production.
Md. Mofidul Islam Tutul, Director of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed on the prospects of the jute sector.
Hefazat Amir demands punishment of Hathazari OC
Amir of Hefazat-e-Islam Junaid Babunagari has demanded exemplary punishment for the OC of Hathazari Police Station for shooting dead madrasa students on March 26.
Hefazat-e-Islam's Amir made the demand at a protest rally at Hathazari's Zilla Parishad Market premises after Friday prayers. The protest rally was called as part of Hefazat's central program. Junaid Babungari addressed the rally as the chief guest.
He said, "We want exemplary punishment for Hathazari Police Station OC Rafiqul Islam. He cannot stay as OC."
"We pray for Bangabandhu and Bangladesh. We are not against the government. Our main enemies are atheists," he added.
Also read: Hathazari Hefazat-police clash: 2,500 accused in 7 cases
Police closed the Hathazari-Khagrachhari road from 1pm today during the protest rally by Hefazat. The law enforcers took up position with barbed wire barricade in front of Hathazari Kachari Road.
Vehicles were stuck on both sides of the road. Many were seen walking to reach their destinations. After the rally ended at around 3.15 pm, the traffic became normal.
Meanwhile, as part of the central program, the leaders and activists of Mahanagar Hefazat staged a protest at the Andarkillah Shahi Jame Mosque premises in the city after the Friday prayers. Huge number of police were also deployed in the area during this time.
Also read: An uneasy calm at Hathazari after Friday’s mayhem
Earlier, last Friday, four people were killed and atleast 15 others were injuref in clashes between Hefazot activists and police at Hathazari in Chattogram district.
Hefazot activists attacked the Hathazari thana compound and land office, forcing the law enforcers to fire teargas shells and rubber bullets in self defence.
Tourism suspended in Sundarbans till Apr 15
The Forest Department has banned tourists from entering the Sundarbans till April 15 to tackle the second wave of Covid-19.
However, beekeepers and fishermen will be exempt from the ban.
Forest Conservator of Khulna Zone Moinuddin Khan confirmed this news to UNB.
He said that there are seven tourist spots in eastern and western zones of Sundarban. All of these will be closed effective immediately.
Also read: Covid 19: Movement of tourist ships on Teknaf-St Martin's route suspended
According to him, around 2 lakh domestic and foreign tourists visit the Sundarbans every year.
Although, tourists were suspended for the majority of 2020, records show around 1 lac 72 thousand tourists came to Sundarbans last year despite it.
Moinuddin stated that the reason behind not losing tourists despite suspension was that the main season to visit the Sundarbans is from Nov-Jan, it was when the Covid situation was comparatively back to normal.
Also read: Damage to int'l tourism in 2020 estimated at $1.3 trillion amid pandemic
Earlier on March 19 last year, the Sundarbans was declared closed to tourists.
Later, after almost seven months of suspension, instructions were given to conduct tourism in compliance with the hygiene rules in October.