The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Sunday expressed concern over health protocol breaches at the cattle markets across the country where trading of sacrificial animals is underway, with Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner. "As the cattle markets are supervised by the local government and rural development ministry, we know they too are monitoring the health safety measures there. Also, both buyers and sellers should show responsibility," Dr Nazmul Islam, spokesperson for the DGHS, said at a virtual briefing. Read: Mask-wearing campaign kicks off at cattle markets in 2 cities The DGHS already issued specific suggestions to all civil surgeons in this connection, he added. "Teams led by the civil surgeons and the deputy commissioners were already monitoring the health safety rules in all districts." With Covid's Delta variant spreading fast, Bangladesh is now facing the worst scenario as the country's caseload crossed 1.1 million today. Read: Covid kills 225 more in Bangladesh as cases cross 1.1 million-mark It also recorded 225 new fatalities; the new numbers pushed its death tally to 17,894. The total caseload from Covid now stands at 1,103,989 as 11,578 fresh cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to the DGHS.

The elderlies and children will not be allowed to enter the cattle market ahead of Eid-ul Azha this year, according to guidelines provided by the government. The Press Information Department (PID) issued an official notice on Wednesday regarding government guidelines to contain the spread of coronavirus in cattle markets. According to these guidelines, market management should restrict or regulate the entrance of elderly people and children as they are more vulnerable to contagious disease. Also read: Countrywide digital cattle market launched, gets good response The markets should have separate entry and exit points alongside hand washing facilities, hand sanitisers and temperature measuring devices. According to the notice, the markets cannot be set up on main roads  or in places that create traffic congestion. Also read: Cattle markets open in Dhaka amid low arrival, high prices Mobile courts will take necessary legal actions against those not following the directives, warned the notice. The notice urged to promote trading of sacrificial animals  from the 241 digitals cattle markets (digital haats) set up across the nation.