The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 has recommended to stop the ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair as the country is seeing a massive jump in daily cases. It has also proposed to halt all types of social events and shut other recreational centres to curb the spread of coronavirus. At its meeting, the committee also recommended increasing ICU and Covid-19 ward beds at Dhaka hospitals to deal with the increasing stream of patients. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records highest-ever daily cases, 59 deaths It welcomed the 18-point directive issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and emphasised formulating a specific action plan in this regard. Boi Mela hours curtailed The surge in coronavirus cases forced the Book Fair management to cut short the daily operational hours. Also read: Boi Mela to be open for 3.5 hours a day due to COVID-19 Currently, the fair remains open from 3pm to 6:30pm daily. Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh Bangladesh recorded its highest daily coronavirus cases on Thursday when the health authorities confirmed 6,469 new infections in the last 24 hours. Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge The infection rate also jumped to 22.94 percent from 19.9 percent on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued a notification with a suggestion to keep movement from four districts to other areas restricted  during Eid-ul-Azha holidays.   “Movement from Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Chattogram to other parts of the country is suggested to be kept halted during Eid holidays according to the suggestions of the National Technical Advisory Committee regarding Covid-19,” said the notification.   Although the notification was issued on Wednesday, it came to light on Thursday night.   The concerned authorities were urged to take necessary steps so that people cannot move from these four districts to other parts of the country during Eid holidays, the notification said.