“They (BNP) should have stood by the people instead of doing politics as it’s a global crisis,” he said while briefing reporters at the Secretariat.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday alleged that the government is trying to hide information about coronavirus and they disclosed it only after the foreign delegates declined to attend the Mujib Borsho programmes.

“Mirza Fakhrul’s comments over the coronavirus are tantamount to mockery with the people of the country,” the minister said, adding that all should work together at this crisis moment forgetting all differences.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rescheduled programmes taken to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in public interest after the detection of coronavirus in the country. “However, no programme has been cancelled.”

Also read:Coronavirus: No thermal scanner at Chattogram seaport, airport

Govt fully ready to tackle coronavirus: Health Minister

Hasan Mahmud also alleged that some newspapers are spreading panic over coronavirus although no emergency situation has emerged in the country.

He said the government has taken preparations to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus.

The global death toll from the virus climbed to 4,038 on Tuesday while the number of infection rose to 116,038, according to Worldometer.

Of the infected people, 64,277 made full recovery which is 94 percent of the infected people.

The coronavirus COVID-19 is affecting 115 countries and territories around the world and 1 international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).

The first three coronavirus patients were detected in Bangladesh on Sunday. The infected patients include two men and one woman, and all of them were kept in quarantine.