PM urges people to face corona with courage

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the countrymen to face the ongoing coronavirus situation with courage.

“Don’t be afraid as fear weakens the resistance capacity of people. We’ve to face the crisis with courage and the government always stands by the people,” she said in a televised address to the nation on the eve of Pahela Baishakh.

The premier also urged the people to refrain from spreading panic over the situation.

“Some vested quarters have been trying to mislead the people. This is no acceptable during the time of the crisis,” she said, urging the media to help the government address the crisis through providing correct information.

Bangladesh has so far reported 39 deaths from coronavirus with 803 patients detected.

Amid fears of the virus outbreak, the government has extended the general holiday until April 25.

The death toll from Covid-19 has climbed to 114,290 worldwide while 18, 51,531 have been infected with the deadly virus so far.

Over the celebrations of Pahela Baishakh, the premier requested all to celebrate the first day of the Bangla New Year by staying home.

“Bangla New Year is a festival for all, irrespective of caste, colour and creed. Each Bengali used to celebrate the day in a joyous manner. But, a ban on the celebrations has been imposed this year due to the corona outbreak. The virus has already started spreading in the country,” she said.

The premier said the inaugural programme of the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and celebrations of Independence Day have been aired through televisions and radios.

“We will also celebrate the Pahela Baishakh in a same way,” she said.

The premier has thanked physicians, nurses and health workers for standing by patients despite limitation and risking their lives.

“Being from the front, you have been treating the patients with the virus. Facing such challenge is your profession. Do not lose courage during the critical time of the nation,” she said.

The premier said she has directed the authorities concerned to prepare a list of those health workers serving corona patients.

“A special honourarium will be given to them. Some Tk 1 billion has been allocated in this regard,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina has also thanked law enforcement agencies, members of the armed forces, government officials and journalists for engaging themselves with bravery in the war against Covid-19.

The premier said many international organisations apprehended that the world would face an economic recession due to the coronavirus outbreak.

She said many countries enforced countrywide lockdown to keep people at home to check the virus spread.

“Bangladesh has also granted a general holiday for 32 days from March 25 last. All but emergency services have been suspended. A negative impact on exports and imports has already begun,” she said, adding that the country’s remittance inflow has also been stagnant as our expatriates have become jobless due to the coronavirus situation.

The premier said her government had been working hard to address the negative impact on the country’s economy.

“We have already announced some Tk 950. 61 billion stimulus package, some 3.3 per cent of the gross domestic product, to face the crisis,” she said.

The premier said Bengali is the nation of the heroes who have faced critical situations with courage.

“We’ve achieved independence in 1971. Being a victorious nation, we will be able to combat Covid-19…Inshallah,” she said.

Source: Daily Sun