Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Tuesday said the government has taken extreme precautionary measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading to the country.
"The virus is less aggressive than SARS. Since we have managed SARS very well, we urge the people of the country not to get panicked but to stay alert," he said while briefing newsmen after an inter-ministerial meeting held at the secretariat.
He added no such patient has been detected in the country yet.
The government has not issued any travel ban on China, he said and suggested avoiding unnecessary visit to and from China until the spread of the virus is blocked.
The minister said every district of the country has been asked to set up isolation wards and countrywide health workers have been put on high alert to prevent coronavirus related diseases.
Since no vaccine has been invented to prevent this virus, Mr Zahid Maleque said, the best way is to take preventive measures.
He also informed that Bangladeshi students and others cannot be brought back home before the passage of 14 days.
After the 14-day incubation period, the Chinese authorities will conduct medical checkup for them and then they will inform us whether the Bangladeshis in Wuhan can be brought back home, he added.
The health minister said the government has asked the administration concerned to keep close monitoring on the health status of Chinese nationals.
Screening devices have been set up at all sea, air and land ports of the country apart from a quarantine unit at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, he said.
According to the civil aviation officials, some 2,305 passengers arrived here from China while 7,570 passengers left for China in last 15 days.
Presently, four carriers are operating flights between Bangladesh and China.
The minister also informed that a medical protocol has been devised to manage the treatment of coronavirus-affected patients and it has been made available to all the hospitals across the country.
Meanwhile, UNB report adds: Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday reiterated its readiness to bring back Bangladesh citizens, willing to return from Wuhan city of China, once China lifts the ongoing 14-day restriction in the city that faced lockdown over the coronavirus outbreak.
"We're fully ready but we can't bring them (Bangladesh citizens) until Chinese government allows us," he told reporters after attending a programme in the city.
On Monday night, the Foreign Minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed all concerned to bring back Bangladeshi citizens, willing to return from China, after at least 14 days as the Chinese government will not allow anybody to leave before that.
"The government has made all the arrangements and arranged a C-130 flight. However, as the Chinese government won't allow anyone to leave at least for 14 days, (as a precaution to identify the virus), we'll bring them after at least 14 days," he told UNB. China refused to allow anyone, including students of the USA, India and Sri Lanka, to leave their residences for at least 14 days, Dr Momen said.
Responding to a question, the foreign minister said they discussed the issue in the cabinet and kept an aircraft ready to bring back Bangladesh citizens who are willing to return.
He said the government is in touch with the students there and established a group communication.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing has opened a hotline number + (86)-17801116005 for Bangladeshis.
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