AMN/ WEB DESK
The government of Bangladesh notified a new set of restrictions even as the country witnessed a spurt in daily COVID cases and sample positivity rate on Monday. Taking into account the rising cases with the new variant Omicron in the country, the Cabinet Division of the government of Bangladesh issued a notification on Monday which will come into effect from Thursday.
The government has banned all kinds of political, social, and religious gatherings. The new restrictions require Covid vaccination certificate to eat at restaurants. The use of facemasks has been made compulsory at shopping malls, markets, hotels, offices, and other public places outside the home. Only vaccinated students above the age of 12 will be allowed to attend school face to face. The train, launch, and bus services will also run with 50 percent of their passenger capacity.
People returning from abroad will be required to show COVID vaccination certificate and go through the antigen test.
Meanwhile, daily COVID cases jumped by over 55 percent in 24 hours with 2231 infections being reported on Monday compared to 1491 on Sunday. The sample positivity rate also soared to 8.53 percent on Monday from 6.78 percent a day earlier. The number of Omicron variant infected persons in Bangladesh is reported to be 30 as of Monday.
Education Minister Dipu Moni announced that a special drive will be launched to vaccinate school-going students above the age of 12. She said that till now over 48 lakh students have received at least one dose of the COVID 19 vaccine. She said by January 31, the government will be able to vaccinate over 75 lakh students with the first dose at least.