The first session of the new year, which is also called the winter session, will begin on Monday, after a 59-day recess.

The Cabinet on Monday decided to store all government data at the 300TB capacity Kaliakair Data Centre under the ICT Division.

Field-level officials have suggested the government to engage commercial, industrial and non-political organisations to motivate people to mask up as Bangladesh has started seeing an increased number of Covid-19 cases with the arrival of winter.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved in principle a proposal of the Health Services Division to procure Covid-19 vaccine directly from any organisation through negotiations without following any bidding process.

In a bid to reduce the sufferings of people, the government has approved a proposal to have the mutation of a land done automatically right after its registration.

As many people have become reluctant to wear face masks despite the prevalence of Covid-19, the government has decided not to provide its services to those wearing no mask.

The Cabinet on Wednesday expressed the hope that Bangladesh will get the Covid-19 vaccine on priority basis, once it is ready, as the government is in touch with all the countries and organisations trying to develop it.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam on Tuesday said the authorities are yet to think over imposing fresh lockdown amid the fear of surge in coronavirus infections during the upcoming winter.   He made the remark while talking to reporters at the secretariat after attending an inter-ministerial meeting to formulate an action plan ahead of the feared second phase of Coronaviurs infection.   In the meeting, where secretaries to different ministries were present, the shares of works were split among the ministries concerned, said Khandker Anwarul.   “Work plan must be ready before the second phase of coronavirus infection appears in the scene. The experts will take care of the clinical side, including formulation of a treatment plan,” he added.   Different administrative bodies in addition to law enforcement agencies and the army will take care of the enforcement side. 

As the public awareness about Covid-19 safety measures has declined, the government has asked the field-level administrations to intensify their mobile court drives so that people exercise precautions like wearing face masks.

The Cabinet on Monday in principle approved the draft of Sheikh Hasina Medical University, Khulna Bill 2020 for establishing a medical university in Khulna division, aiming to expand the facilities of medical education, research and healthcare services in the region.