Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam has called on the elderly, children and sick people to refrain from going to the cattle market to stay safe from coronavirus infection.
He made the call at an online meeting on Sunday (July 5) at Sacrificial Animal Market and Sacrificial Animal Waste Management.
The mayor urged the citizens to abide by all the guidelines laid down by the government and the city corporation in order to save the lives of the people.
Children and elderly who used to go to different markets last year to buy cattle of their choice, I urge you to refrain from going to the cattle market this year, he said, noting that the management of the cattle market was difficult without the spontaneous cooperation of the people at the time of the coronavirus pandemic.
He added, as you know, we are relocating a few big markets in the outskirts of Dhaka city this year to prevent corona virus infection. It has caused a lot of financial loss, in fact as a result of which we have lost the most money of our city corporation. But even then, we have taken this decision considering the health of the people.
Atiqul Islam said the Ijaradars of the markets must operate the markets in accordance with the rules as per our instructions; otherwise their security money will be confiscated. There will be hygiene to ensure social distancing, adequate hand washing arrangements and awareness through miking. These markets will be monitored by our councilors and Magistrates round the clock.
Calling on the citizens to ‘offer’ animal sacrifices at designated places, the mayor said, we hope to be able to remove the sacrificial waste within 24 hours in advance. To ensure this, I will be on the field with all our councilors, reserved councilors, all the officials of the city corporation.
Only awareness can save us, our families, this city and this country from the pandemic, he said. So let's be careful, follow the health rules announced by the government to avoid the pandemic.
The meeting was participated by all councilors of DNCC, reserved women councilors, chief executive officer of DNCC, chief health officer, chief waste management officer, all regional executive officers including chief engineer and other senior officials