COVID-19
Lockdown climbdown: Banking hours from 10AM-1PM confirmed in late directive
Changing the previous day’s decision on closure of banks, Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday took a fresh decision that banks will operate from 10 am to 1 pm for general transactions from April 14 to April 21 during the 'all-out lockdown' declared by the government.
The banks can remain open up to 2:30 pm for execution of other required activities, said a Bangladesh Bank circular, issued at 8 pm on Tuesday.
They can keep one non-AD branch open within 2 km radius in the city corporation area and in upazila level one branch of each bank can open on Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday, it said.
Also read: People’s lives come first: PM Hasina
The banks have to take measures to provide transport facilities for the staff during the period.
The BB circular also said, during the banking transaction hours, the banks have to ensure different kinds of services including clearing of cheques, withdrawal and deposits of money, money transfer, release of remittance, encashment of different instruments and also receipt of the payments of bills of different utilities.
BB said banks have to continue services like disbursement of loans, incentives, payment of salaries of different industries and also the purchase of export bills, loan sanction and distribution.
Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued
The banks have to follow instructions in keeping the branches located in the port areas about the coronavirus in discussion with the local administration and other authorities, as per circular issued on August 5 last year, it said.
The banks have to operate their activities through limited staffs under a rostering.
They have to ensure operation of the ATM booths to facilitate transaction through cards by supply of adequate cash in the machines while the evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain closed until further order, said the circular.
SAF launches Covid-19 testing booth for frontline doctors
The Salma Adil Foundation (SAF), in collaboration with Chittagong Medical College Teachers Association (CMCTA), installed a dedicated Covid-19 testing booth for the frontline doctors at Shah Alam Bir Uttam auditorium of Chittagong Medical College and Hospital (CMCH).
The Covid-19 testing booth was officially inaugurated on Tuesday (April 13, 2021) morning.
During the ceremony, Professor Dr Shahena Akter, Principal, Chittagong Medical College, and Dr Md Monowarul Haque Shamim, President, CMCTA, were present there. Ahmadul Islam Chowdhury, prominent columnist and Islamic researcher, and Advocate Saimon were present on behalf of Salma Adil Foundation.
Also read: One-stop digital COVID-19 test booth launched in Dhaka
CMCTA lauded SAF for setting up a separate Covid-19 testing booth for the frontline doctors. Though the sample collecting booth is installed mainly for the frontline doctors, but a limited number of general people can also avail of the services.
Commenting on the initiative, Salma Adil, Founding Director of SAF, said, “As a Chittagonian, I always try to stand by the people of Chattogram when they need it most. This is a small effort to make it easier to provide Covid-19 testing facilities to those frontline doctors, who are risking their own lives to serve our people during this pandemic situation. So, I felt it’s my duty to stand by the local Doctors.”
Also read: COVID-19: Sample collection booth launched in Jatiya Press Club
Since Covid-19 pandemic first hit Bangladesh, SAF has been providing support to the general people. Last year, SAF handed over food and grocery items to the doorstep of thousands of needy people all over the country free-of-cost. In terms of financial assistance, the foundation also extended support to the jobless people through mobile banking, who were heavily affected by the lockdown.
To combat the pandemic, SAF took the responsibility of sending consignments of lifesaving protective gears to the frontliners such as doctors, law enforcers, and journalists. Moreover, a pool of dedicated volunteers from SAF took care of the burial of the Covid-19 patients along with providing free tests to countless people with Corona symptoms in Dhaka and Chattogram.
Read Bashundhara's 'vanished' 2000-bed hospital was 'too costly' to keep running.
People’s lives come first: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday urged everyone to follow health guidelines and celebrate Pahela Boishakh at home when the nation enters a strict weeklong lockdown to contain the upsurge of coronavirus transmission.
"We have to remember that the lives of the people come first. If (we) survive, we’ll be able to rearrange everything," she said while addressing the nation on the eve of Bengali New Year, Pahela Boishakh.
State-owned Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television (BTV) simultaneously broadcasted her address. Private television channels and radio stations also aired the Prime Minister’s speech.
She also urged the countrymen not to be panicked at the second wave of covid-19 and assured that her government is always with them. She asked authorities concerned to take measures to provide necessary assistance to the poor and low-income people.
In her roughly 13-minute speech, the Prime Minister said that the government has imposed some restrictions on the movement of people due to the second wave of coronavirus last week.
She said the rise in cases compelled the government to take some tough measures following the advice of public health experts.
The prime minister acknowledged that the strict measures could cause some issues for the livelihoods of many people. She reminded everyone that protecting the people's lives was the top priority.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 69 more die, 6,028 infected
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that last year everyone had to face various types of adverse situations after coronavirus hit. "As quarantine is one of the ways to resist this pandemic, for that we’ve to take some steps that had an impact on people's lives and livelihoods," she said.
The four principles
She said that last year the government imposed 62 days of general holiday. It is yet to open educational institutions. The Prime Minister said the situation was not unique to Bangladesh. “Such steps are being taken wherever the impact of this deadly virus is intensifying," she said.
Along with saving people's lives, the Prime Minister said the government is keeping watch so that country's economy, lives and livelihoods of the people do not fall apart.
“With cooperation from all we have taken some steps, as a result, last year we were able to face the coronavirus pandemic successfully,” she said.
She said the government fixed four key activities last year to face the possible adverse impact of coronavirus. They were—increasing public expenditure prioritising employment generation; formulating stimulus package for reviving economic activities, keeping labours and workers in their jobs and keeping the competitiveness of the entrepreneurs.
The other two are— expanding social safety net programmes for fulfilling the basic needs of people living under the poverty line, non-institutionally engaged and day labourers, and increasing money supply to overcome the adverse impact on the economy in a way there will be no inflation.
“Our activities are continuing based on these four principles. We’ve already announced 23 stimulus packages of Tk 1,24,053 crore,” she said.
Also read: Covid-19: Hasina for balancing livelihoods and public health
‘Don’t worry’
She also said that some 2.5 crore people have been brought under various government assistance programme apart from taking steps for uninterrupted production in mills and factories and increasing agricultural production.
“There’s no need to be worried, the government is always beside you. I’ve taken steps for the poor and lower-income group after the second wave hit,” she said.
In this regard, she said that the government allocated Tk 807.65 crore for employment generation in the rural areas and more than Tk 672 crore for Holy Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. This will benefit 1,24,42,000 lower income group families.
5.6mln people received first dose
Talking about the vaccine of coronavirus, Sheikh Hasina said that scientists have already invented some vaccines, Oxford-AstraZeneca is one of them.
She also said that it was a matter of good luck that Bangladesh has been able to bring a sizeable number of doses at the beginning of the vaccine production.
“In the meantime, more than 56 lakh people have been taken the first dose of the vaccine. Those who’ve taken the first dose are now taking the second dose. Gradually, we’ll bring everyone under the vaccine programme and we’ve the preparations,” she said.
But she mentioned that the health experts said that there is no assurance that one will be fully protected from the virus after receiving the vaccine. “So, after taking the vaccine, we’ll have to maintain health guidelines too,” she said.
Also read: Bangladesh begins second phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive
Covid treatment facilities being increased
The Prime Minister said that the area of coronavirus patient treatment has been further expanded in all districts including Dhaka. In the meantime, steps have been taken for uninterrupted oxygen supply in public specialised hospitals. Existing ICU facilities are being increased.
She urged everyone to be careful and ensure protection for themselves, family members and neighbours. “So, gatherings have to be avoided and everyone should wear a mask when going outside. After returning home, one should get cleaned and take hot water vapour,” she said.
“If everyone follows health guidelines, it’ll be possible to keep the pandemic under control, Inshallah,” she said.
‘Celebrate Pahela Boishakh digitally’
She also mentioned that era after era pandemic, storms, cyclones and calamities come, mankind has to survive facing all these.
“The path of life is not smooth. The path may be tough enough [but] we’ve to make our advancement conquering that,” she said.
Quoting some lines of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, the Prime Minister said that Bangalis are the victorious nation and they are surviving facing various adversities.
Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued
“Inshallah, we’ll face this coronavirus pandemic. In the new year our prayer to the Almighty is to save the world from this pandemic,” she said.
The Prime Minister greeted the countrymen on the occasion of Bengali New Year and Holy Ramadan that fell on the same day this year.
She also asked all to stay home. “Like the previous year, Bangalis will have to celebrate Pahela Boishakh festival through digital medium remaining at home,” she said.
Ex-Jamaat Ameer Maqbul dies
Maqbul Ahmed, former Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam has died of coronavirus at a Dhaka hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
He breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit of Ibn Sina Medical College Hospital.
The party's current Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman confirmed the news through a statement at his official Facebook page.
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: 69 more die, 6,028 infected
He expressed deep sorrow at the demise of the former Ameer and sought pardon for his departed soul.
Maqbul will be buried at his family graveyard following two namaz-e-janaza at the field of Jamaiatul Falahiya Kamil Madrasa and in front of his home respectively.
Also read: Patuakhali Jamaat leader killed over land dispute
Makbul was the acting Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam from 29 June 2010 to October 2016.
Later he served as the elected Ameer of the organization from 2017 to 2019 before handing over the responsibility to Dr Shafqur.
Infrastructure construction works kept outside increasingly loose lockdown
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said that the construction of infrastructure will be free from the lockdown ban.
He instructed everyone to follow the hygiene rules and wear masks all the time.
Obaidul Quader said this at an exchange meeting with engineers of the Roads and Highways Department this morning.
He joined the meeting virtually from his residence.
Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued
The Road Transport Minister instructed to move ahead with the construction work before the onset of the monsoon, adding that now is the right time to work before the monsoon.
He said the road would remain empty as there was a ban on public transport on the lockdown starting from the 14th April, so the damaged road would have to be repaired at this time to make it suitable for traffic.
The Minister also directed to complete the paper work of the projects which are planned to be taken up now so that the construction work can be started as soon as the dry season arrives.
Obaidul Quader said that revolutionary changes have taken place in road communication in the last few years and these works need to be taken further.
Also read: Follow lockdown restrictions: IGP to people
The Minister urged the concerned to give top priority to the work of upgrading the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar road to four lanes.
Obaidul Quader said the project to upgrade the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four is a long-term demand of the people of Sylhet.
The Minister called for solving the process of acquisition of land during the implementation of the project or before the commencement of work.
South Asian Govts must ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines: AI
Governments in South Asia must ensure that vulnerable groups are not excluded from access to COVID-19 vaccines, said Amnesty International.
It called on the international community to enable the production of vaccines at the national-level to address the severe shortfall in supply across the region.
Also Read: 'Don't worry, come forward': Asian nations get 1st shots
“As vaccine campaigns have been rolled out, marginalized groups across South Asia have been effectively locked out by practical barriers. South Asia’s governments must ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for everyone irrespective of caste, socio-economic or other status, race, or nationality,” said Yamini Mishra, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Director.
Mishra said the lack of access to vaccine supply in most countries across the region is a real and pressing concern that needs to be urgently addressed.
"However, this must not provide cover to these countries to unduly limit access to vaccines, for example, by not reaching out to vulnerable groups to tell them how they can get vaccinated. Who you are and where you live should not determine access to the vaccine.”
As vaccination programmes have commenced across South Asia, groups including slum dwellers, Dalits, ethnic minorities, workers including labourers, daily wage earners, sanitation workers, garment workers and tea plantation workers, people in rural areas, prisoners, and internally displaced people have so far been denied access due to a lack of awareness and limited access to technology in most places.
Also Read: COVID-19 : Bangladesh, China, 3 S Asian countries to start vaccination
Meanwhile, others including refugees and migrants have been excluded entirely from government vaccine campaigns in many countries for now.
With vaccines in short supply, most countries in South Asia have not inoculated more than six percent of their population with even a first dose, with efforts so far reaching middle and higher-income groups.
Amnesty International is calling on governments across the world to waive provisions of the global treaty governing rights and patents on properties including medicines.
Barriers to access
Underprivileged communities across South Asia do not have access to smart phones and other mobile devices, which are required in most cases to register online for vaccines and where most public health information is disseminated.
In Pakistan, the registration process excludes certain groups by design – requiring National Identity Numbers that are unavailable to refugees or migrants.
In early April, authorities approved of foreign nationals over the age of 60 and health workers of foreign origin to receive the jab but there is a lack of clarity on the process of registration for them.
With vaccine registration being done via text message or online, prisoners are also being effectively excluded without access to the internet or phones.
Although the provincial government of Sindh has announced that all prisoners over the age of 50 will be vaccinated, it is not clear if other provinces will follow suit.
Due to a lack of access to government plans and information sharing mechanisms on vaccine roll-out, a misperception among rural people that COVID-19 is a concern only for urban and city dwellers persists in countries such as Bangladesh.
Amnesty International is calling on national authorities to put measures in place, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations, to raise awareness among rural people about vaccine campaigns and the danger posed by COVID-19.
In Sri Lanka, limited communication around dates, venues and eligibility for vaccines is a barrier for people to access vaccinations.
There is no information available about the plan for COVID-19 vaccines and immunizing the broader population in some countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, vaccination plans that have been developed by countries like Bangladesh for a holistic coverage of the population are not reflected in their implementation such as efforts to inoculate cleaning workers, unskilled wage earners and people in lower income groups, said the AI
Governments must ensure that information around vaccine plans are communicated effectively to communities in languages and formats they understand to ensure equitable access.
Limited vaccine supplies
With vaccine manufacturing countries prioritizing their own populations, countries across South Asia have been scrambling to place orders to meet national demands.
The situation has left hundreds of millions across the region unable to access vaccines for the foreseeable future, including groups such as Bangladesh’s one million Rohingya refugees and Afghanistan’s four million internally displaced.
In Pakistan, limited supplies have led to many health workers reporting difficulties securing their second vaccine jab, leaving them dangerously exposed as the country undergoes its third and most deadly wave.
Amnesty International is calling on governments to fulfil their human rights obligations and actively support a proposal to waive certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement, a global treaty governing intellectual property rights, which often restricts where, when and how medicines are produced.
“International cooperation is key to contain the spread of the virus and make the vaccine universally available as quickly as possible. South Asian countries with the capacity to produce the vaccine at affordable prices must ensure equitable distribution and call on global bodies, pharmaceutical companies, and other vaccine manufacturing states to prioritize resource and technology transfer to produce vaccines locally,” said Yamini Mishra.
Global Covid deaths near 3 million
The pandemic continues to devastate countries across the world. In fact, Covid-19 has already claimed over 2.9 million lives and infected more than 136 million people globally.
The total case count reached 136,493,176 while the death toll from the virus climbed to 2,944,366 on Tuesday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University (JHU).
The US, the world’s worst-affected country, has so far registered 31,267,311 cases and 562,521 deaths, as per the latest data released by the university.
Besides, Brazil registered 1,480 deaths from Covid-19 in 24 hours, bringing the national death toll to 354,617, the country's ministry of health reported on Monday.
The ministry also said that another 35,785 cases of Covid-19 were reported in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide count to 13,517,808.
India is in the fourth spot in the Covid death tally behind the US, Brazil and Mexico, but stands second in terms of cases after US.
Also read: Covid-19: Hasina for balancing livelihoods and public health
India’s total tally reached 13,527,717 while the death toll from the virus mounted to 170,179 on Tuesday. The South Asian country has been under the grip of a second wave of Covid-19, despite mass inoculation across the country.
Situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is seeing an increase in coronavirus fatalities, breaking its single-day death count record for the third time in as many days on Monday.
Health authorities confirmed 83 deaths on Monday afternoon, surpassing Sunday’s figure of 78. The number was 77 on Saturday.
Fatalities from Covid-19 rose to 9,822 as the mortality rate remained static at 1.42 percent for the fourth consecutive day, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said in a handout.
Bangladesh announced its first coronavirus death on March 18 last year.
Also read: Govt considering complete lockdown from April 14: Quader
Besides, 7,201 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, pushing up the caseload to 691,957.
Bangladesh has been of late seeing a record number of infections, with daily case count surpassing the 7,000-mark earlier this month before falling significantly on April 10 and April 11.
A sharp rise in the number of cases prompted the government to enforce a seven-day lockdown from April 5 but it was ineffective. The government extended the lockdown by two more days and announced to enforce a "strict seven-day lockdown" from April 14.
Vaccination drive
The government launched a vaccination campaign on February 7 with doses received from the Serum Institute of India continues. Experts are calling for ramping up the drive and urging people to follow the health guidelines to keep themselves and others around them safe.
On April 8, Bangladesh began its second phase of inoculation amid uncertainty over vaccine availability.
Australia won’t buy J&J coronavirus vaccine
The Australian government has decided against buying the single-dose Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine as a way to accelerate its immunization program.
Health Minister Greg Hunt said Tuesday the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is similar to the AstraZeneca product, which Australia already contracted to buy.
Also read: Merck to help produce rival J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine
Australia had planned to rely on Australian-manufactured AstraZeneca with the goal of delivering at least one dose of vaccine to all eligible adults among a population of 26 million by October. But the government announced last week that the Pfizer vaccine is now the preferred option for people under 50 because of a potential health risk from AstraZeneca.
Australia has doubled its Pfizer order to 40 million doses. Australia had acquired 3.7 doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines by Monday and had injected 1.2 million doses.
How Covid-19 brought the curtain down on Kushtia's cinema halls
Cinema halls in Kushtia were already struggling due to the dominance of television, internet, low quality scripts and backdated infrastructure.
However, Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown and associated public health protocols have acted as the final nail in the coffin for the film theatres of Kushtia
Among the 12 cinema halls of Kushtia, only Banani Cinema Hall was operative before the pandemic while the rest of the dream palaces were already filled with archaic equipment or abandoned all together.
But sadly, all kinds of activities in the only active cinema hall of Kushtia came to a halt since the first Covid-19 lockdown imposed last year. Now all the workers involved in this industry have become unemployed.
Also read: The final countdown for cinema halls
End of an era
Roxy was the first Cinema Hall in the city.
Established at the heart of the city in the 70's, this movie theatre has been closed since 2003. Currently, it's being used as the dumping ground of archaic equipments and household commodities.
Keya Cinema Hall was also built at a very busy place of the city. But currently there is no sign of it. The Cinema Hall was bulldozed and a corporate building named Porimol Tower has been built in its place.
Khaleda is strong, stable: FM Siddiqui
The health condition of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who tested positive for coronavirus, was very stable with a strong immune system on Monday, said Prof Dr FM Siddiqui, the head of her personal medical team.
“We can say her (Khaleda Zia's) condition is very stable and she’s doing very well. We found her in a high spirit,” the physicians told reporters at Khaleda's Gulshan office after visiting her at her residence.
Also Read: Khaleda tests positive for Covid with no symptom: BNP
Dr FM Siddiqui hoped that Khaleda will be free from danger if her condition remains stable for one more week.
He said many local and foreign doctors are there in the medical team formed to ensure proper treatment to the BNP chief. “We the doctors, including those from the USA and the UK, are working as a team and ensuring her treatment in consultation. There’s no gap and doubt in her treatment.”
Replying to a question, FM Siddiqui also said Khaleda's immune system is still strong.
Asked if there is any possibility of taking Khaleda Zia to any hospital, he said, "You know there’s uncertainty regarding the Covid patient’s condition. No one in the world can say how corona will behave in the first week of infection and what will happen in the second week.”
"That's why we’ve taken all the necessary preparations. If we ever think she needs to be taken to a hospital, we’ll do it immediately as we’ve made such preparations,” FM Siddiqui added.
Also Read: Khaleda Zia infected with Covid-19
Some members of the BNP’s medical team, led by FM Siddiqui, entered Khaleda’s Gulshan residence around 5pm and stayed there for an hour.
The head of the medical board said they examined Khaleda’s health and found her oxygen level normal.
He said all who stay at Khaleda’s residence are infected with the virus and they are being given necessary treatment. “The good side is that most of them are asymptomatic. One or two of them initially suffered from fever, and now they all are fine. “Everybody has been kept in isolation and given treatment.”
FM Siddiqui said Khaleda urged all to pray for her and stay safe by maintaining health safety rules.
Khaleda underwent the Covid test on Saturday as eight other people at her residence were infected with the deadly virus and her report came out to be positive.
BNP leaders and activists arranged prayer sessions at different mosques across the country seeking her speedy recovery.
A milad mahfil and Qurankhawani was held at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office praying for Khaleda’s recovery from the virus.
Besides, prayer sessions were arranged at different temples, including Dhakeswari one, seeking her quick recovery.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, the government freed Khaleda Zia from jail for six months through an executive order suspending her sentences on March 25 last year.
She was released from the prison cell of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) the same day, and she has been staying at her Gulshan house since then.
On August 27 last year, the government extended her release for six more months and it was extended again for six months on March 15 last.
On February 8, 2018, Khaleda was sent to Old Dhaka Central Jail after a lower court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case. The High Court later doubled her jail term.
Khaleda was found guilty in another corruption case the same year. Her party claims both the cases are politically motivated.