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PM-ADDRESS-NATION 2 DHAKA
The prime minister said history suggests that disaster hits the national
life at different ages and time but human beings had overcome those crises
through their united efforts while “the mankind earlier prevented epidemics
like plague, small pox and cholera”.
But, she said, unlike the closely knitted global society of the present
time, the world was not that much closely connected during those epidemics as
the people in those days were not used to travel in huge number from one
place to another.
“The coronavirus, therefore, spread all over the world in such a quick
time . . . but science and technology has immensely advanced by now. The
world community will definitely overcome the disaster soon with united
efforts of all,” the premier said.
Sheikh Hasina said due to the situation were passing days in a sort of
panic and anxiety for their near and dear ones at home and abroad.
“I can realize the mental state of all. But, we have to face the situation
with patience and bravery in such a critical time,” she said.
The premier urged all to obey advises of health experts “word to word” to
prevent the virus and particularly “avoid public gatherings as much as
possible”.
The premier called upon those who returned home from the coronavirus-
affected countries to properly follow the directives t including quarantine
and isolation at home.
“I request the brothers and sisters who returned home from the
coronavirus-hit countries . . . stay isolated only for 14 days for the sake
of your family, neighbours and above all for saving lives of the countrymen,”
she said.
Sheikh Hasina called upon the Muslims as well as the people of other faiths
to offer prayers at home.
The prime minister said the IEDCR by now opened hotline numbers aiming to
protect the people from the infection of coronavirus.
She said Society of Doctors opened as well 500 helpline numbers as well
and suggested people to call these numbers “if any COVID-19 symptom emerges”.
Sheikh Hasina said the government launched a massive anti-COVID-19
campaign since January while a national committee headed by the health
minister was also working to provide necessary directions and take pragmatic
measures for combating the virus in the country.
Apart from it, she said, committees were formed at city-corporation,
municipality, district, upazila and union-levels for prevention of the
disease.
Sheikh Hasina said six hospitals were prepared in Dhaka for coronavirus
patients while arrangements were underway to treat coronavirus patients in
five more hospitals in the capital and separate beds have been prepared for
such patients in district and upazila-level hospitals.
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