Amid the global outbreak of coronavirus with cases reported in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the people to to avoid public gatherings to contain the spread of the viral infection.
Her directives came during the weekly Cabinet meeting on Monday (Mar 9).
"There's no reason to panic. Bangladesh is prepared to tackle coronavirus," Health Secretary Asadul Islam, who was flanked by Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam, quoted the prime minister saying at a media briefing.
Responding to a query, the health secretary said that the current situation did not call for shutting down schools and colleges.
On Sunday, the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) said that three Bangladeshis were tested positive for Covid-19, a new strain of coronavirus that has killed over 3,600 people around the world.
Two of the three infected recently returned from different cities in Italy. All three are aged between 20 and 35, according to the government's disease control agency.
It, however, said on Monday that no new cases were reported in the last 24 hours till morning.