DGHS suggests 15 instructions amid Omicron concern

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has recommended the implementation of 15 instructions in order to prevent the spread of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.

A notice signed by Prof Nazmul Islam, director, Disease Control of the DGHS, came up with suggestion on Sunday.

The instructions came at a time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also asked all countries to stay alert about the new variant and the UK and other countries have imposed a travel ban on South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and other countries.

The instructions are:

1. Strengthening screening and testing at airports and land ports, especially for the passengers coming from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini and Lesotho
2. Discouraging all forms of public gatherings (political/social and religious)
3. Ensuring the use of masks and other health measurements
4. Hotels and restaurants are asked to arrange dine with half of their capacities
5. Letting people in at tourist spots, recreation sites, resorts, community centers, theatres and social programmes at half capacities
6. Implementing health guidelines at worships and offices
7. Ensuring the use of mask on public transports
8. Fourteen-day mandatory quarantine for people coming from the countries of infections
9. Ensuring health guidelines in all educational institutions
10. Ensuring use of mask for Health service seekers, health service providers and health workers
11. Continuing the ongoing vaccination progamme by following health guidelines
12. Ensuring isolation for COVID-19 positive people  
13. Isolating people showing COVID-19 symptoms and collecting samples with the help of the local authorities
14. Ensuring the use of mask at offices
15. Creating awareness among people for maintaining health guidelines at community level

Besides, the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 recommended a ban on travelling to Bangladesh from the countries where the new variant of the virus Omicron has spread.