Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has advised the people not to use mask unnecessary rather those who has attacked by cold or cough can use it so that it cannot infect others. The mad rush of mask purchase will create panic and price of the mask, she said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the birth centenary programs of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be celebrated in such a way so that the people do not fall in risk due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
As the lethal virus has created a panic worldwide, it’s our responsibility and duty to concentrate on the safety and health of the people. That’s why we’ve rearranged the birth centenary celebration programs of Bangabandhu, she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League (AL), was delivering her introductory speech at a meeting of AL Central Working Committee held at Ganabhaban on Monday (March 9) evening.
We want the people is not affected in anyway. We have rescheduled the (birth centenary) programs by looking at their wellbeing, though it (rescheduling) was very painful for us, she said.
The Prime Minister also urged the countrymen not to be panicked over lethal virus, which has been named as COVID-19. This virus will exist for a few days and then it will be over. So, there is nothing to be worried about it, she said. Sheikh Hasina said the weather is being changed as it is moving to summer from winter.
Naturally cold-related diseases are seen at this time and I can surely say there is nothing to be panicked in normal cold, she said.
The Prime Minister said that there is no doubt that celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation is a big event for the nation. However, we will celebrate it in a different way so that the gathering of the people is less and they don’t fall in risk, she said.
The Prime Minister said her politics and politics of Bangladesh Awami League are for the welfare of the people of the country.
That’s why, I and my younger sister Sheikh Rehana and other members of our family gave consent to reschedule the programs of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu considering public security and health, she said.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the world leaders and other guests from various countries were keen to attend the celebration, but the schedule has been changed against the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak which spread more than 100 countries.
The Prime Minister said many programs have been suspended including the children rally on the Independence Day on March 26 due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
She said inaugural ceremony of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu will be held on a limited scale on March 17 next.
Sheikh Hasina said other programs including placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka and placing of wreaths at the tomb of the Father of the Nation in Tungipara, Gopalganj will be observed as per schedule.
The meeting was attended among others by AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, Advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu, Presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Matia Chowdhury, Shajahan Khan, Zahangir Kabir Nanak.