NTAC issues six-point guidelines to check spread of new Covid-19 variant

Staff Correspondent: Dhaka, Apr-25,

The National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 today issued a six-point guidelines, which includes increasing screening of passengers at all ports to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

A notification, signed by Prof Mohammad Shahidullah, president of the NTAC, containing the six-point guidelines was revealed at a press briefing today.

The guidelines were recommended at the 57th meeting of the committee held virtually on April 24, with Prof Mohammad Shahidullah, president of the NTAC, in the chair.

The guidelines are as follows:

1) The committee recommended for following the health rules strictly, which includes wearing facemasks and maintaining social distancing to prevent spread of the lethal virus. Besides, recommendations were made to launch publicity campaign to create awareness on Covid-19 among people.

2. The committee suggested strengthening of medical test and screening of passengers, arriving from infected countries at all ports. Besides, it made Covid negative certificates mandatory for all arriving passengers.

3. Shoppers and home-bound people must follow all essential health rules including wearing facemasks during the Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims. Besides, the committee recommended that Islamic Foundation should encourage people to maintain health guidelines during Taraweeh prayers and Eid congregations.

4. Necessary guidelines were recommended for the health ministry to make the hospitals alert to control and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

5. The committee suggested that inter-ministerial meetings along with the national advisory committee will be held to make people aware of Covid-19 pandemic.

6. The committee recommended for increasing surveillance and performing genome sequencing of new Covid-19 variants.

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