With Bangladesh seeing a spike in Covid-19 infections, the authorities have decided to place restrictions on people visiting tourist spots to limit the spread of the deadly disease as these areas have become major hotspots.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque made the statement while speaking to reporters at the ministry after attending a meeting over this year’s medical college admission test on Wednesday.
The minister said he had learned from Covid-19 patients recently admitted at hospitals that they had visited various tourist spots before contracting the virus.
Following the recent upsurge, instructions were given to prepare five more new hospitals where 3,000 general beds would be added, he added.
Zahid Maleque said without taking measures to control the spread of Covid-19 infections at the major hotspots, there was no benefit in ensuring more beds for the growing number of patients.
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The health minister said the hospitals in the capital were filled with Covid-19 patients while the situation outside Dhaka was different.
“If we don’t follow health safety rules, it will be difficult to bring the transmission of coronavirus under control. So, to keep the wheels of our economy moving and to keep our country safe, we must follow health safety rules,” he added.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque said no decision had been made over a lockdown or general holidays.
According to the minister, the number of aspirants for medical admission had doubled this year, with some 122,874 students sitting for the test.
The admission exam will be held on April 2 in compliance with health guidelines.
