Expressing deep concern over the recent surge of Covid-19 cases across the world, the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 recommended ensuring 100 per cent use of mask, social distance and maintaining health guidelines to contain the spread of the virus. The recommendation was made at the 57th meeting of the committee on Sunday, said a press release signed by Dr Mohammad Shahidullah, president of the NTAC. The committee also recommended creating awareness about the rising of Covid-19 cases through publicity. Read: Money laundering case: 11 including brothers Enamul, Rupon get 7 years jail NTAC recommended ensuring Covid-19 negative certificates while entering Bangladesh from those countries where Covid-19 cases are on a rising trend. It also suggested strengthening the screening of passengers at all ports. The committee recommended ensuring wearing of masks in shopping malls, markets, shops and during travel in different parts of the country on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. It also asked the Islamic Foundation to ensure health protocols during Tarawih prayer and Eid Jamaat. The NTAC also asked the Health Ministry to take steps to provide directives to tackle Covid-19 after arranging meetings with the hospitals and Directorate General of Health Services.

Education Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday said the decision on how to deal with educational institutions amid the Covid-19 surge will be taken after the ministry’s meeting with the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 on Sunday. The government formed the 17-member national technical advisory committee with independent experts and government representatives in April, 2020 to recommend measures to tackle the pandemic in the country. “The government, however, doesn’t want to shut the educational institutions now,” she said while talking to reporters after attending the silver jubilee programme of Dhaka Imperial College.

The National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 recommended booster shots to the citizens above 60 and frontliners. The senior citizens and frontliners who got the two doses of vaccine six months ago will get the booster dose, the NTAC recommended at a meeting on Sunday. The committee also expressed deep concern over the emergence of the new coronavirus variant ‘Omicron’. It also suggested all to take steps to limit public gatherings, meetings and rallies to contain the spread of Omicron. Also read: Booster dose in Bangladesh: Authorities asked to work on a precise guideline In emergency cases, the committee said, online meetings could be arranged instead of in-presence meetings. The committee also recommended strengthening screening, quarantine and isolation at all entry points of the country.