Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called the people to refrain from holding any mass celebrations welcoming the Bangla New Year to stem the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

She also urged all to celebrate Pohela Baishakh, first day of the Bangla month Baishakh, “digitally”.

The prime minister’s call came while addressing a video conference, with the officials of 64 districts to coordinate the ongoing activities to contain coronavirus, from Ganabhaban in Dhaka on Tuesday (Mar 31).

Hasina also hinted at extending the general holiday to prevent the spread of coronavirus to Apr 9.

On Mar 23, the government declared general holidays from Mar 26 to Apr 4.