DHAKA, – The government has introduced a zoning system to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
In consultation with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the zoning system was initially introduced in Gazipur, Narayangani and Narsingdi districts, Purba Rajabazar of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Wari of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on experimental basis, an official handout said.
Once the zoning system works effectively to contain the spread of coronavirus, it will be introduced in other areas of the country, which will help fight the invisible enemy, it added.
After 66 days of general holidays announced to contain coronavirus transmission, the government on May 31 resumed different economic activities in the country on a limited scale considering the lives and livelihoods of the common people.
But, the handout said, the rate of coronavirus infection went up recently in different areas of the country. Against this backdrop, the government on June 10 issued some instructions under the Infectious Diseases (Prevention, Control and Elimination) Act 2018 aiming to stop the virus transmission in the country.
Considering the people’s vulnerability to COVID-19, the main objective of these instructions is to identify the country’s different small or large areas as red, yellow and green zones.
Following the guidelines and strategy of the government, different district administrations and city corporations are monitoring COVID-19 scenario at the local level. Upon consultation with the DGHS, the local authorities are taking initiatives to implement zoning system to contain the spread of coronavirus, the handout said.
According to the Infectious Diseases (Prevention, Control and Elimination) Act 2018, the district civil surgeon has been given the authority to declare a zone in a specific area. The zoning activities would be implemented with support from local public representatives, civil administration, law enforcers, army personnel and volunteers.
The local administration and local committee on COVID-19 will jointly decide which areas or parts of an area will be included in the zoning system.
