With coronavirus spreading rapidly all over the country, the government has imposed five-point restrictions. While some of the government steps have been questioned, it is the implementation of the directives that is more a matter of concern.
The first of the restrictions declared by the cabinet division is all schools, colleges and educational institutions of similar level will remain closed from 21 January till 6 February. This has already come into effect. The universities, government and private, are to decide themselves as to whether to remain open or closed.
Even before the government issued this announcement, BUET, Jahangirnagar and a few other universities began online classes. Hopefully, other universities will follow suit. In that case the government won’t have too much trouble in enforcing the first restriction. However, there are questions about keeping the educational institutions closed for two weeks while everything else remains open.
The government did not take into cognizance the technical committee’s recommendation to provide masks free of cost. It is not possible for the poor and the marginalized people to buy masks every day. The government’s assistance is essential.
The government reasons that teachers and students in many places have contracted coronavirus. That is why there is no alternative to keeping the institutions shut temporarily. This will continue where there is scope for online classes. The coronavirus pandemic began in January 2020. Educational institutions shut down in March for almost 18 months. Our question is, why wasn’t such a long span of time used to ensure all students were brought under coverage of online classes?
The questions in the public mind concerning the implementation of the four other restrictions are not unjustified. The main weapons against coronavirus are the vaccinations and the health guidelines. We lag behind in both. According to official records, not even half the population has received two doses of the vaccine. The public is not interested in hearing that the government has adequate stock of the vaccine. They want to see the implementation of the government’s commitment to vaccinate 80 per cent of the population.
The government’s directives include that not more than 100 people should gather together at any social, political, religious or state event, and also that the people carry their vaccine certificates and certificates of PCR taken within the last 24 hours. But who will check? Earlier the 11-point directive also stated that vaccine certificates be carried when going to hotels, restaurants and on public transport. But that has not been followed in most cases. The government directives call for masks to be worn and health guidelines to be followed in markets, shopping malls, mosques, bus stands, launch terminals, railway stations and all public places. The government did not take into cognizance the technical committee’s recommendation to provide masks free of cost. It is not possible for the poor and the marginalized people to buy masks every day. The government’s assistance is essential.
If the government’s directives are wholly implemented, the spread of the virus can be brought under control to a great extent. But simply depending on the local administration and the law enforcement agencies will not be enough. The local people’s representatives, civil society representatives and the youth must be included in implementing the directives. Tackling a national crisis like the coronavirus pandemic will be difficult without the active participation of people from all walks of life.