Health risks rise as everything opens on ‘limited scale’

The COVID-19 situation in the country is worsening, with an average of at least 20 people dying due to the virus every day. Over the last 24 hours, 1,541 new cases were detected and 22 more died. This brings the number of coronavirus cases in the country so far up to 38,292 with 544 deaths.

In this situation the government has announced that the holiday up till 30 May will no longer be extended and everything will be opened up on a ‘limited scale’. It has become vital to maintain the health regulations. The question is, are these regulations being followed? And once things are opened up on a ‘limited scale’, what will happen about the health regulations?

Public health experts have said that the scope of essential services could have been expanded at this time, following the health regulations. But, now the risks will now be much higher with everything being opened up. However, since everything is opening up, it is imperative to follow the health regulations strictly. There must be constant monitoring within the office and outside to ensure that the rules are being followed.

According to projections made by experts, by 31 May, there may be 48,000 to 50,000 COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country with around 800 to 1000 deaths.

On Wednesday the government announced that the official holiday will not be extended beyond 30 May. Government and private offices and industries will be opened on a ‘limited scale’. Public transport will carry limited numbers of passengers. Trains and river vessels will run too. Airlines will be able to operate as well, in keeping with the health rules.

The government has said that in consideration of lives and livelihood, offices are being opened and economic activities started up on a limited scale. The government had been preparing for this for some time and the service division has drawn up a 13-point directive to follow once offices open.

Among the directives, it has been made compulsory for everyone to wear masks. On 11 May, the health services division submitted a letter to the cabinet division on 11 May, along with these 13 directives, for due action to be taken.

The directives also include that the public works ministry install a required number of disinfectant tunnels in various places, that all office rooms, premises and roads been disinfected before the offices open, that everyone’s temperature is checked before entering office with thermal scanners or thermometers, office transport must be disinfected and commuters must sit at least 3 feet away from each other in transport.

Surgical masks are disposable, for one-time use, but cloth masks can be washed with detergent and reused. Hand sanitisers must be used before and during commute, physical distance must be maintained during meals, soap and disinfectant must be used every time the toilet is used, physical distance must be maintained while working in office, masks must be work inside office and soap and hand sanitisers be repeatedly used. Everyone must be constantly reminded about the health regulations.

An inspection team must monitor whether the health and hygiene rules are being followed. Health safety rules must be placed prominently on display and if anyone falls ill, he or she must be placed in isolation immediately.

Consultant of the government’s Institute of Disease Control, Epidemiology and Research (IEDCR) and public health expert Mushtaq Hossain told Prothom Alo on Thursday, the decision to open up everything while the virus is on an upward curve will increase the risk to public health. There will be fear of further transmission. The scope for essential services could have been widened. Whether or not the government is opening up everything for socioeconomic and administrative purposes, health regulations must be strictly enforced. Experts must be consulted in this regard. Strict monitoring inside and outside offices must be carried out to ensure the health rules are being maintained.

* This report has been rewritten in English by Ayesha Kabir