LGD sends operating procedure for red zones to city corporations

The Local Government Division (LGD) on Monday sent a coordinated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to all city corporations for implementing red zones, reports UNB.

The LGD issued the notification with 18 directives and guidelines to contain the spread of surging coronavirus infections.

The directives were given to all city corporations over red, yellow and green zones according to the ‘Bangladesh Risk Zone-Based COVID-19 Containment Strategy/Guideline’ prepared by the health and family welfare ministry.

SOP includes- COVID-19 sample collection and test, services, quarantine, isolation, ambulance services, public and transport movements, financial activities, medicine and food supply, humanitarian assistance to the poor, law and order in the red zones.

The notification said that LGD and DGHS will issue notification over red, yellow and green zones in the light of infection rates after discussing the concerned city corporations.

City corporations will have to implement the zoning system within 48 to 72 hours, it said.

According to SOP, every city corporation will form three committees- central management committee, ward management committee, and sub-zone/spot management committee for implementing zoning system.

LGD has also asked to set up control room in every city corporation and distribute leaflets with contact numbers of control rooms and volunteers.

A focal person will be appointed at the prime minister’s office to supervise all activities, the notification said.

According to the SOP, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), city corporations, health services division, metropolitan police, deputy commissioners, superintendent of police, and armed forces will supervise services for COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 patients.

City corporations, Al-Markazul Islami, Anjumane Mofidul Islam, Quantum Foundation, and voluntary organisations will supervise the burial process.

Meanwhile, directives from the cabinet division, public administration ministry, concerned ministries and the Bangladesh Bank will be applicable for educational, financial institutions including hotels, shops and shopping mall management, the notice from LGD said.

Directives from the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), cabinet division, public administration ministry, and road transport and highways division will be applied for public transport and goods-carrying vehicles.

Cabinet division, religious affairs ministry, Islamic Foundation will decide about attending prayers and religious programmes.

Sub-zone management committee with local administration, armed forces, and police will control public movement and provide services for people including e-commerce and home delivery.

Disaster and relief ministry, social welfare department, district administrations with voluntary organisations will supervise food management in slum areas under red zone.

The notification directed the city corporations to appoint students, NGO workers, scouts, members of youth organisations as volunteers.

Disposal of kitchen and medical wastes from red or yellow zones will be strictly maintained separately.

LGD in its last point said whatever is said in SOP, three committees in city corporations can take any decision for public welfare after informing the higher authority.