Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday (Mar 18) said Bangladesh will be put in lockdown if necessary to prevent the further spread of coronavirus in the country.



“If necessary, Bangladesh will be shut down. It'll be enforced where necessary. People must be saved first. We’ll do everything for that,” he said.
Quader, also Awami League general secretary, was replying to a query from reporters whether Bangladesh is ready if it is to be locked down like other countries to handle the coronavirus situation.
He also said the operation of inter-district buses will be halted, if necessary. “Bus passengers have already declined due to the prevailing situation. We’ll take steps (to stop the bus operation) even after that,” he said.
Everything will be done to tackle the situation,” he added.
Quader also urged all political parties to come forward to fight the common enemy of all instead of doing politics over the issue.
Bangladesh has so far reported 11 coronavirus cases.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the coronavirus or COVID-19 has climbed to 7,987 globally as of Wednesday.
It has so far infected 198,426 people around the world, according to worldometer.
Of them, 107,676 are currently being treated with 6,415 being in serious or critical condition.
So far, 90,750 cases had outcomes and of them, 82,763 (91 percent) recovered and 9 percent died.
COVID-19 is affecting 162 countries and territories around the world and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harboured in Yokohama, Japan).
The World Health Organization on March 11 declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic.