DHAKA,  – Urging all to come forward to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the government has declared a “war” against the pandemic.

“The government has declared war to prevent the spread of coronavirus. I call upon the whole nation to join the fight with the government. However, no situation has been created for being panicked,” he told journalists while replying to a question.

Quader, also the ruling Awami League general secretary, was addressing a press briefing on current affairs at his office in the Secretariat here.

Asking all to refrain from spreading rumors through the social media over the outbreak of COVID-19, he said, “The government is sincere enough to
control the spread of the deadly disease. Otherwise, it would not have postponed the programmes of the much awaited Mujib Year,” Quader added.

In reply to a question, the minister said, “We are taking initiative to procure adequate number of kits to examine positive cases of coronavirus.”

He urged the opposition party not to do politics over the outbreak of COVID-19 during the global wartime situation rather to come forward to fight
against the pandemic.

Quader said AL and its associate bodies, from central to grassroots levels, have cancelled all activities marking the country’s Independence Day
due to the outbreak of the coronavirus across the globe. Mentioning that there is no food crisis in the country, he said stern actions will be taken against those who will stockpile food unnecessarily.

To minimize the spread of coronavirus, vehicular movement will be suspended if needed, the minister said, adding Sheikh Hasina’s government is
ready to take any steps if necessary.