The government has decided not to extend the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions anymore from February 22, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam on Sunday.

"A clear instruction has been given to reopen schools (secondary and higher educational institutes) on the day after tomorrow (Feb 22) and primary schools on March 01 as no Covid-19 restriction will be imposed anymore from February 22. But all will have to be careful so that everyone must wear masks," he said while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the virtual meeting from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others joined it from the Cabinet Division of Bangladesh Secretariat.    

The Cabinet Secretary said the authorities concerned were instructed to ensure that everyone uses masks in any programme and gathering.

Noting that a programme was taken to vaccinate one crore people on February 26 next across the country, he said the Cabinet requested the media to circulate its news massively.

Read: NTAC suggests axing post-arrival Covid test for fully vaccinated

He said the field administration including DCs, SPs and civil surgeons, as well as mayors, chairmen, other local government representatives and men of political parties were asked to campaign massively so that no one is left out of the vaccination coverage after February 26.

Besides, the Health Ministry is mulling to vaccinate the under-12 children, gathering experiences from other countries.

On January 13 last, the government imposed 11-point Covid-19 restrictions till February 7 amid the growing concerns over the transmission of Omicron, a new variant of coronavirus, in the country. Later, the restrictions were extended up to February 21.

‘Joy Bangla’ to be national slogan

The Cabinet decided to make ‘Joy Bangla’ as the national slogan through an official notification.

"Following discussions, it was decided to declare ‘Joy Bangla’ as the national slogan by issuing a notification from the Cabinet Division,’’ said the Cabinet Secretary.

He said there is also a judgement passed by the High Court in 2020 to take necessary measures for making ‘Joy Bangla’ as the national slogan.  

Read: WHO: New COVID cases drop by 19% globally, deaths stable

Deposit safety act

The Cabinet approved in principle the draft of the Bank and Financial Institute Deposit Safety Act, 2022 in an effort to ensure security of the money deposited by clients in all financial institutions, including banks and leasing companies.

“If any leasing company or financial institute winds up or become bankrupt, a client will get maximum Tk 2 lakh against their deposits from the fund deposited in the Bangladesh Bank by the company or financial institute as security money,’’ said Anwarul Islam.

He said the clients need to be careful about depositing money in other companies or institutes except banks as the government will provide security to maximum Tk 2 lakh. ‘’If the money can be recovered from them (the company or institute concerned), then the clients will get their rest of the money back.’’

The meeting also approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Nursing and Midwifery Council (Amendment) Act, 2021 in order for some minor changes to the existing law.

Moreover, the Cabinet approved retrospectively the draft of an agreement titled ‘Technical Cooperation Agreement’ signed between the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and Directorate General of Civil Aviation, France.

The Cabinet cancelled two decisions taken by the Advisory Council in 2007, including one to make Bangladesh Television Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2007.

According to the proposal of the Information Ministry, this amendment is not required anymore now, said the Cabinet Secretary.

Another decision is related to the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, which was taken to hand over the charge of some hospitals to non-government organisations with a view to curtailing the expenditures.