The minister came up with the remark while talking to reporters after an emergency meeting on preventing coronavirus at the ministry with representatives from 18 ministries.
“We can only give advice on health issues. The Education Ministry will decide whether the educational institutions will be closed. We want to keep people safe. We can request but can’t create any pressure,” he said.
Zahid Maleque said different ministries have been requested to take steps to prevent the spread of the deadly virus and suggested people to avoid public transports if they suffer from fever, cough and cold.
He also urged returnees from abroad not to go to mosques.
Zahid Maleque said the government has kept 4-5 hospitals ready to deal with coronavirus patients.
Health Secretary Md Asadul Islam said the infection rate among the children is very low globally. The infection rate among the children, aged from 0-9, is almost zero and so guardians should not get panicked.
“But I understood guardians will be panicked as I’m also panicked as a guardian. The government will decide considering the situation,” said the secretary.
The death toll from coronavirus or COVID-19 reached 5,844 globally today.
Besides, 157,342 cases were reported from around the world, according to worldometer.
Bangladesh reported two new coronavirus cases on Saturday.
The government has suspended on-arrival visas for all countries and stopped allowing passengers from Europe until March 31 to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.