Education Minister Dipu Moni today said all educational institutions will remain closed till Mar 31, starting from tomorrow, as a preventive measure against spread of the coronavirus.
Mentioning that Bangladeshis have been infected with coronavirus after coming in contact with returnees from coronavirus-affected countries, Dipu Moni said all returnees must follow instructions.
"Students are being requested to stay in their respective homes and remain cautious," the education minister said while briefing media in this regard.
She also discouraged anyone from attending coaching classes or walking around the school premises as a precautionary measure against spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).
However, the decision on Higher Secondary examinations scheduled for Apr 1 will be taken as the date for the exams near and there is no reason to take this decision now, the minister said.
She also said this is an evolving situation and all decisions needed to ensure prevention of coronavirus spread will be taken.
Three more persons were diagnosed with Covid-19 in Bangladesh yesterday, raising the current number of affected people in the country to five, said Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Meanwhile, all the examinations under National University have been postponed until Mar 31 due to "unavoidable reasons", the university said in press statement published today.
The revised dates and time would be announced later, the statement added.
COVID-19 is affecting 157 countries and territories around the world and one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harboured in Yokohama, Japan).
The World Health Organization on Mar 11 declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic but added that it’s not too late for countries to act.
Bangladesh has so far reported eight cases.
On Sunday (Mar 15), the government announced that the first three patients had been discharged.
