Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the people to follow three health safety protocols to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

The premier made the call at the regular cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting.

“Wherever we are, vaccinated or not, we should follow three protocols – must wear facemask, maintain the highest possible caution and stay in a limited number in the public places of gathering such as places of recreation or other social events,” he quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

The premier iterated her call to all the countrymen, who would visit those places or go to any public gathering, to maintain the health protocols.

In the meeting, Sheikh Hasina said, “We don’t think that we are in a comfort zone. Yes, we are in a much better position . . . it doesn’t give us the certainty that we are in a comfort zone.”

In last few days, experts are suggesting not to be at ease at this moment as the country witnessed the highest Covid-19 infection in the last summer.

“So, it is not assured that whether Covid-19 infection would not peak again,” said the Prime Minister, adding, “Our peak (Covid-19 infection) was in the high summer although all of us expected it in winter. Forthcoming April, May and June will be our high summer and that is why our experts suggest we should concentrate on these months.”

She requested everybody to be careful from their respective positions regarding the coronavirus.

None is fully protected with a single shot of vaccine, so all are advised to wear facemasks even after inoculation, she said.

Replying to a query about the steps to encourage people to wear facemask, the cabinet secretary said they are observing the situation now and also carrying out different publicity on it.

Regarding the decline in vaccination number, he said the Ministry of Health and Directorate General of Health Services are working for mass inoculation. He said motivational works in union and upazila levels have resumed to make the people aware to follow health protocols to contain Coronavirus.

Responding to another query about the government’s next course of action if the coronavirus infection increases, the cabinet secretary said the government has worked prioritizing people’s life and livelihood so far and will do so in future if required.

He said the meeting also discussed the prices of essential commodities such as edible oil, sugar, date, ginger, onion, lentil and chickpea ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

Khandker Anwarul Islam said the Ministry of Commerce informed the meeting that the country has sufficient stocks of these essential commodities against the upcoming demand. So, there will be no shortage of these items, he added.

The cabinet secretary said the meeting also cleared the draft of four bills– Kurigram Agricultural University Act, 2021, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute Act, 2021, the Public Debt Act, 2021, and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2021.