The students, aged above 12 or above, must receive at least one dose of Covid-19 vaccine to attend schools and colleges, said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam on Thursday.

“The Ministry of Education has already given instructions that no one can come to schools without getting vaccinated. The issue was discussed at an inter-ministerial meeting on January 3 and it was confirmed today,” he said while briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the virtual cabinet meeting, joining it from her official residence Ganobhaban, while others concerned got connected from the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Replying to a question over the explanation of that decision, the cabinet secretary said the students, aged above 12, will have to receive at least one jab of the Covid-19 inoculation to attend schools and colleges.

Also read: Covid vaccine: Fakirhat becomes first upazila to jab 100% of eligible population

“So, an emphasis was given on carrying out a motivational campaign so that students receive vaccines,” he said, adding that the vaccines are available in rural areas, too.

Anwarul Islam said the cabinet meeting discussed how to fight Omicron, the new Covid variant alongside scheduled agenda.

He said the people will have to show Covid-19 vaccination certificates to dine at restaurants, travel by trains and aeroplanes, and visit shopping malls and the international trade fair as well as other public places.

The decision would be enforced after a certain period based on the opinion of the national technical committee, he said.

Talking about other decisions to fight Omicron, the Cabinet Secretary said wearing face masks is a must outside homes.

He said the participants in social, political and religious programmes will have to be limited as well as wearing masks and maintaining other health protocols are mandatory there.

Also read: Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for children?

If the Covid-19 situation deteriorates further, the public transport will have to carry 50 percent of their capacities, said the top official.

He, however, said no decision has been taken yet to enforce lockdown in the case of deterioration of the pandemic situation.

Besides, the Cabinet cleared the draft of Bangladesh Public-Private Partnership (Amendment) Act, 2022 for bringing few changes to fine tune the existing law.

It also approved the draft amendment to the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion Agreement signed between Bangladesh and Qatar.

The meeting endorsed the proposal for the ratification of Framework Agreement on the Establishment of the International Solar Alliance.

Besides, the Cabinet cancelled its previous decision taken in late 1980s to procure two container ships from Pakistan for Bangladesh Shipping Corporation.