File photo: A worker in a protective suit examines specimens inside a laboratory following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, Hubei province, China February 6, 2020 ReutersHealth Minister Zahid Maleque disclosed the development at a press briefing at the secretariat on ThursdayHealth minister has said government would lockdown any vulnerable areas if necessary to curtail the spread of Covid-19. Health Minister Zahid Maleque disclosed the development at a press briefing at the secretariat on Thursday. He said that Faridpur, Madaripur and Shariatpur were the most vulnerable districts now, as many of the people who returned home recently from abroad were staying there. He further said preparations are underway to isolate or quarantine patients at Ijtema ground facilities, on the banks of Turag River. Responding to a query regarding potential lockdown of certain parts of the country, the minister said: “We will lockdown any vulnerable areas if necessary.”“More than 5,000 people are currently in quarantine across the country… Action will be taken if they try to violate the quarantine rules,” he added.

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 19, 2020 12:13 UTC