KHULNA, June 23, 2020 (BSS)-The local administrations has decided to put two wards of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and one union of Rupsha upazila, identified by government as red zones in terms of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, under strict 21-day lockdown since June 25.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of district coronavirus prevention committee held at conference room of Deputy Commissioner (DC) office yesterday afternoon.
The meeting decided that the lockdown in the red zone areas will remain in force till July 16.
Government recently published a gazette notification marking KCC’s 17 and 24 no wards and Aichgati union of Rupsha upazila as red zones.
DC Mohammad Helal Hossain chaired the meeting that was attended, among others, by Mayor of KCC Talukdar Abdul Khaleque, Khulna Divisional Commissioner Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain Hawladar and Director (Health) of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Khulna Division Dr. Rasheda Sultana.
Secretary (Coordination and Reforms) of the Cabinet Division Md. Kamal Hossain, also in-charge of Coronavirus Prevention and Relief Management in Khulna District, was connected to the meeting via online from Dhaka.
“The entire district will not be put under lockdown this time. Only the three areas, which have been marked as red zones, will come under the restrictions,” DC Helal said.
During the meeting, KCC Mayor Talukdar Abdul Khaleque said it is possible to get rid of the virus infection with concerted efforts if the decisions of the meeting are implemented and the hygiene guidelines prescribed by the government are followed properly.
The meeting decided that during the lockdown, some rules will have to be followed strictly by the people.
Sonadanga Bus Terminal, Khulna Medical College Hospital and kitchen markets will remain out of the purview of the lockdown.
Pharmacies would be open for 24-hour while only grocery shops can run activities till 4 pm. Other shops would be shut down.
Before the lockdown starts, the people of those areas will be informed by using mike.
The persons with COVID-19 symptoms must be at home until their samples are collected and test report doesn’t come.
All shopping malls of the district will remain open for three days in every week (Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) till 5pm since June 26.
Red flags will be hoisted atop houses of Covid-19 patients and the public will have to wear masks.
All kinds of public transport and banks would be closed at the red zones, but ATM booths would be open.
A public notification will be issued in this regard soon from the DC office, Khulna.
Civil Surgeon of Khulna Dr. Suzat Ahmed, Additional Commissioner of KMP Sardar Rakibul Islam, Superintendent of Police SM Shafiullah, Director of Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) Dr. Munshi Md. Reza Sekandar, Vice-Principal of KMC Dr. Mehedi Newaz, Deputy Chief Information Officer of Khulna PID M. Javed Iqbal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Ziaur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Family Planning Department Md. Abdul Alim and President of Khulna Press Club SM Nazrul Islam were also present at the meeting.