ZCZC
BSS-25
COVID19-QUADER-TRANSPORT, LEAD
Harsher steps if health guidelines are not followed: Quader
DHAKA, June 1, 2020 (BSS) – Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the government will take harsher steps if the health guidelines are not followed and social distancing is not maintained in public transport during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
“If people do not follow health guidelines and maintain social distancing, the country’s coronavirus situation willdeterioratemore…..the government may take hasher decisions again considering the public interest,” he said.
Quader, also Awami League General Secretary, came up with the warning while talking to the officials of the Bridges Division through videoconferencing from his official residence here.
He urged transport owners and workers to abide by the government’s rules while running public transport and set a humanitarian example amid coronavirus crisis period.
The road transport minister said the government has adjusted the fares of public transport so that the vehicles can run following the health guidelines and keep 50 percent seats of those vacant to help prevent coronavirus transmission.
On conditions, the movement of public transport began today, he said, urging the law enforcement agencies, vigilance teams, mobile courts and bus terminal authorities to monitor whether the health guidelines and conditions are followed in public transport or not.
Quader expressed gratitude to the project director of Padma Bridge Project for progressing the works of the prime minister’s priority project amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Stressing the need for paying the salaries and arrears of the workers of Bridge Division’s projects, he instructed the project chiefs to ensure guidelines for project workers.
The AL general secretary hoped that Bangladesh would be able to overcome the coronavirus crisis under the courageous and humanitarian leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Bridges Division secretary Mohammed Belayet Hossain and senior officials of the division were present.
BSS/PR/MRI/RY/1701 hrs