Be careful, Indian variant is deadlier: Quader

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today termed the Indian variant of coronavirus as deadlier and urged all to remain conscious in maintaining health guidelines properly.

The minister posted on his Facebook page, "Be Careful, Indian Variant Is Deadlier."

Earlier, Quader virtually joined a discussion titled "Mujib Barsho and what to do in facing deadly Covid-19 crisis" arranged by Bangabandhu Diploma Engineers Council where he said, "Indian variant of Covid-19 has been found in Bangladesh. Our little bit of negligence may cause danger. Under the circumstances, we all should remain conscious."

Mentioning that neighbouring India is now severely reeling under the spike of the vicious second wave of Covid-19, he said, "Though India is famous for oxygen production, the country is now in acute oxygen crisis and people's sufferings know no bounds."

"Even footpaths in India have turned into crematorium while the experts warned that the third wave of the Covid-19 is likely to hit India," he said, adding that Bangladesh is getting danger messages from India.

He hoped Bangladesh will be able to face the ongoing pandemic-induced crisis successfully under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.

"We will have to build forts of consciousness at our houses to save ourselves from the pandemic," he said.

Quader urged all to celebrate the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr staying at their present locations to resist the deadly Covid-19 responding to the call of the premier.

Despite the suspension on the ferry operation amid lockdown, the homebound people were seen flocking at the ferries which are only allowed to carry ambulances and vehicles with bodies at Paturia-Daulatdia terminal on Monday.

Chattogram Highway police seized 18 buses in Chattogram for flouting the government's ban on inter-district movement.

The public transports were intercepted from the Sitakunda section of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Sunday night, police said adding that a total of 14 cases were filed in this regard.

Earlier, the government enforced the lockdown from April 6, which was later extended in several phases in the face of a surge in Covid-19 infections in the country.

Lastly, the lockdown was extended until 16 May as the second of the pandemic wave hit the country.