The country's
hotels and restaurants may be in danger again. It is feared that new
restrictions will be imposed due to the new variant of coronavirus, Omicron.
However, the government has not yet set a deadline for selling food in the
lockdown.
A statement
signed by the director of the disease control branch of the health department,
Prof Dr. Nazmul Islam, on Sunday (November 26th) called for strict
implementation of the measures.
Extreme caution
is needed in South Africa and other countries after the discovery of the new variant
of coronavirus, Omicron. The World Health Organization has warned all countries
about this.
To prevent this
new variant, hotel-restaurant seating arrangements need to be halved or less.
At the same time, half of the capacity or less can participate in public
gatherings, tourist spots, recreation centers, resorts, community centers,
cinema halls, theater halls, and social events (weddings, weddings, birthdays,
picnics, parties, etc.).
The Department
of Health also said that measures should be taken to discourage all kinds of
social, political, religious, and other public gatherings.
According to
the Restaurant Owners Association, there are about 8,000 restaurants in the
Dhaka metropolis and about two and a half lakh workers work in this sector.
Comment
Bangladesh reported
three deaths and 2,087 cases from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours till 8am
Tuesday.
The positivity rate was recorded at 15.47% during the same
period after testing 13,489 samples across the country.
So far, 29,145 people have died and 19,69,361 tested
positive for the virus in Bangladesh since 2020.
Meanwhile, 200 Covid patients were cured in the last 24
hours recording the recovery rate at 96.84%.
Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic Bangladesh
Comment
Ferries from Mawa terminal will operate as per people’s
demand, said State Minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday.
“We did not stop ferry services in the Padma River after the
opening of the Padma Bridge as currently six ferries are operating on the
route. As per the government decision the ferry operation will continue,” he
said.
The minister said these while talking to reporters after
attending an award giving ceremony at the ministry.
Talking about the removal of nuts from the Padma Bridge by a
person, Khalid said it was the ornament of the Padma Bridge and someone
attempted to snatch it.
Talking about the ban on plying motorbike on the Padma
Bridge, Khalid said the government has suspended plying of motorbikes on the
Padma Bridge and the decision may change after installation of speed gun and
CCTV on the bridge.
Referring to the development of river routes across the
country, the state minister said, “We are taking initiatives keeping the
development of river routes in mind and the bridges are being constructed
without hampering navigability of rivers.”
Comment
Bikes will be
allowed on the Padma Bridge after installing CCTVs and speed guns,
said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury.
"Speed guns and CCTV will be installed. After
they are set up, maybe a new decision will be taken," the minister said
responding to reporters' questions at a programme on Tuesday (28 June).
The state minister said that the government's move on
motorcycles running over the Padma Bridge was not an indefinite decision.
He also said that the ferry will run as per the demand.
"Padma Bridge does not mean that other communications
will be closed. Even yesterday ferry was plying through Shimulia, Majhighat. We
will use it as we see fit," he added.
"We did not stop the ferry, there are 6 ferries
operating according to demand. We are taking time, people's emotions about the
Padma Bridge are being expressed in many ways. There are many positive-negative
feelings," the minister further said.
Responding to a question about the frustration of the launch
owners due to the shortage of passengers, he said, "We are optimistic. Why
are we building 10 thousand kilometers of waterways? There is a demand for
it. The Prime Minister is not doing anything unnecessary. I think the
launch ride will be more enjoyable in the future."
The Bridges Division on Sunday (26 June) decided to prohibit
motorcycles from plying on Padma Bridge until further notice from 27
June.
Long queues of buses, trucks, cars, motorcycles, and
ambulances were seen waiting in hundreds on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway till the
gates of the bridge opened at 6am Sunday.
People started thronging the Mawa point of the bridge since
it opened to the public t to cross the bridge at first chance. Meanwhile, many
people were seen breaking the rules imposed by the authorities for the security
and protection of the Padma Bridge.
Comment
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed all cities of
the country to overpass railway signals, said Planning Minister MA Mannan.
ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided
over the meeting on Tuesday (June 28) by joining the NEC conference room in the
capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar via video conference from Ganobhaban.
Cconcerned ministers, state ministers and secretaries were
present in the NEC conference room. After the ECNEC meeting, Planning Minister
MA Mannan gave details at a press conference.
Highlighting the directives of the Prime Minister, the
Planning Minister said that the Prime Minister has directed to construct
railway overpasses in all the cities in phases instead of rail crossings.
The planning minister further said that the prime minister
has urged to increase spice cultivation and research. Besides, the Prime
Minister has asked the government to take up the project by diverting the
Sylhet-Sunamganj flood-cut road and constructing a bridge there instead of
rebuilding it. The flow of water cannot be obstructed.
Comment
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council
(ECNEC) has approved 10 projects at a cost of Tk 2,216.75 crore. Of this, Tk
1,875 crore will be available from government funds and Tk 341 crore from
foreign loans.
ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided
over the meeting on Tuesday (June 28) by joining the NEC conference room in the
capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar via video conference from Ganobhaban.
Concerned Ministers, State Ministers and Secretaries were
present in the NEC Conference Room. After the ECNEC meeting, Planning Minister
MA Mannan gave details at a press conference.
The projects approved by ECNEC are: Sustainable Agricultural
Extension in Jessore Region; Expansion of improved varieties and technologies
of spices; Construction of 81st km Railway Bazar Railway Overpass on Kushtia
(Trimohoni) -Meherpur-Chuadanga-Jhenaidah (R-745) Regional Highway; construction
of PC girder bridge and RCC box culvert on the site of dilapidated, narrow
Bailey Bridge on Pirojpur section of Charkhali-Tuskhali-Mathbaria-Patharghata
Highway (Z-8701); Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive (1.60 km to 32 km) road
widening; Construction of Railway Overpass in Gatepar area of Jamalpur city
(1st Amendment); Construction of Chief Judicial Magistrate Court Buildings in
64 District Headquarters of Bangladesh (Phase 1) (3rd Amendment); Expansion of
MES (Military Engineer Services) physical infrastructure facilities in Dhaka
Cantonment; Water supply and sanitation in Ukhia and Teknaf upazilas of Cox's
Bazar district.
ECNEC NEC PM Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh
Comment
Ferries from Mawa terminal will operate as per people’s demand, said State Minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday. “We did not stop ferry services in the Padma River after the opening of the Padma Bridge as currently six ferries are operating on the route. As per the government decision the ferry operation will continue,” he said.
Bikes will be allowed on the Padma Bridge after installing CCTVs and speed guns, said State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury. "Speed guns and CCTV will be installed. After they are set up, maybe a new decision will be taken," the minister said responding to reporters' questions at a programme on Tuesday (28 June).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed all cities of the country to overpass railway signals, said Planning Minister MA Mannan. ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting on Tuesday (June 28) by joining the NEC conference room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar via video conference from Ganobhaban.