"We’ve declared the general holidays till May 5…now we want to continue it till May 15," she said.
The Prime Minister said this while holding a videoconference with the public representatives and officials of the districts of Rangpur division over the COVID-19 issue from her official residence Ganobhaban.
The Prime Minister said the government has given directives to reopen shops so that buying and selling could be done during this Ramadan alongside keeping shops for Iftar and Sehri items open taking special measurers.
She also mentioned that small industries at district level can be operated and directives have also been given in this regard.
Putting emphasis on keeping the wheel of the economy moving ensuring people’s protection with focus on health issues, Hasina said the cabinet division will give directives in this regard very soon.
"Government offices will be reopened on a limited scale. Eid is ahead and people need to go shopping and buy what they need most," she said.
But the Prime Minister asked people to avoid public gatherings. "You’ve to protect yourselves from these…there is a possibility to get infected," she said.
The districts under Rangpur division are-- Panchagarh, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Rangpur and Gaibandha.
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Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and some private TV channels and radio stations broadcast the videoconference live.
The Prime Minister reiterated that there might be famine around the world due to economic stagnation following the COVID-19 outbreak.
"To overcome this fear, we’ve to protect our country…we’ll also help other countries, too," she said.
Hasina some countries have sought assistance from Bangladesh and it sent food assistance along with other materials. "May be we need to send more and for that we must ensure that not a single inch of land remains unfarmed."
In this season, Hasina said, the government will procure some 21 lakh metric tonnes of food grains. "We can hope there’ll be no food problem in the coming months… by the time other food grains like Aush and Aman will be there, we’ve to look after that…there’ll no food crisis in Bangladesh," she said.
The Prime Minister asked the officials and others from Rangpur, known as Monga-prone region, to remain alert and give special attention so that Monga [seasonal food crisis] cannot stage a comeback.
Hasina said the distressed people have to be given assistance.
"We’ve enough food in our stock…there should be no hard time for anyone for food…the government will take every necessary step for that," she said.