‘No mask no entry’

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a guideline to make sure that everyone adheres to health guidelines to keep from Covid-19 while observing National Mourning Day on August 15.

According to the guideline, entrances and exits at programme venues must be separated and specified. 

Not more than 15-20 people can enter a place at the same time to pay homage to Bangabandhu, it said, adding that individuals who do not put on facemasks will not be allowed to participate in any event marking National Mourning Day. 

People suffering from health problems, such as cold, cough, fever and breathing difficulties, also have been asked not to come to the programme venues. 

Participants will enter the programme venues in queues through keeping a certain physical distance (at least 3 feet) and leave the places in a similar manner after paying homage, the health ministry said in the guideline, adding that if possible, the entire passageway could be sketched out in a circular mark. 

Besides, it also stressed ensuring adequate supply and proper use of hand sanitisers at the entrances of the programme venues and maintaining hygiene etiquette, i.e., covering mouth and nose with tissue, using handkerchief while coughing or sneezing. Adequate numbers of covered bins must be installed at the programme venues and there must also be arrangements for emergency removal of those bins, it added.   

The guideline, signed by Maidul Islam Pradhan, information and public relations officer of the health ministry, was issued on Thursday. It noted that all instructions of the local administrations, the health department and law enforcement agencies must be followed properly.

Discussion programmes/ milad mahfils

According to the health ministry guideline, public presence at discussion programmes and milad mahfils must be as minimum as possible. The numbers of participants have to be fixed in proportion to the size of programme venues or hall rooms. 

All participants must wear facemasks, it said. 

There must be arrangements at the entrances for washing hands with soap and water. If this is not possible adequate supply and proper use of hand sanitisers must be ensured. 

The guideline also said seating arrangements must be made in such a manner that there remains at least a distance of 3 feet between one participant and another. If necessary, seats must be specified. Besides, everyone must throw away used tissues or other wastes at designated places. Necessary measures must be put in place to ensure a prompt disposal of emergency wastes.

All instructions of the local administrations, the health department and law enforcement agencies must be followed properly, it added.