Shawdesh DEsk:

The government on Monday urged people not to panic and take precautionary measures for preventing the spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

Precautionary measures advised by the World Health Organisation, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and physicians include keeping clean and not shaking hands or hugging anyone.

Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on Sunday. Prices of face masks and hand sanitisers, in particular, shot up following panic buying of these products. The High Court has directed the government to operate mobile courts to stop price hike of masks and hand wash.

The government has made a series of recommendations to keep safe. These include —

1.    Washing hands regularly with soap, hand wash
2.    Maintaining a distance of about three feet from people sneezing and coughing
3.    Not touching eyes, nose and mouth without washing hands
4.    Covering face with tissue or use elbow while coughing and sneezing
5.    Not spitting everywhere
6.    Washing food properly before cooking
7.    Boiling food properly
8.    Staying away from sick people or animals
9.    Washing clothes after using once
10.    Cleaning houses and workplaces regularly
11.    Not walking barefoot
12.    Refraining from handshake and hugging
13.    Visiting physicians in case of fever, cough and respiratory problem
14.    Follow advices of physicians and health workers
15.    Staying at home in case of sickness
16.    Using mask in crowd
17.    Avoiding foreign tours

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) asked people to call the hotline numbers of the institute if anyone has symptoms of coronavirus and the authorities concerned of IEDCR will collect samples after visiting houses.

The hotline numbers are – 01937110011, 01937000011, 01927711784, and 01927711785.