Staff Correspondent:

With the spread of neighboring country Indian variant, the third wave of coronavirus is likely to hit Bangladesh in the early June as a post Eid impact. The wave may take U-turn and situation may worsen as the government has failed to prevent movement of Eid holiday-makers, experts apprehended.

In this circumstance, the government should take stern stance to control the movement of holiday-makers and keep closure of all border routes to prevent entrance of outsiders, they said.

Sources said, coronavirus infection may increase again in early June. Health experts fear that if the India variant of coronavirus spreads in the country, the situation could be similar to that in Nepal.

They also advised to keep the borders closed until the situation of India returns to normal.

They said, the Indian variant of coronavirus is spreading panic all over the world. The situation in Bangladesh could be dire like neighboring another country Nepal, if we do not take precautionary measures as soon as possible. Even, a few days ago, the situation in Nepal was good. But, suddenly the situation has deteriorated tremendously.

Health specialists said, the people, who are coming to Bangladesh will have to stay in quarantine for 14 days. Besides, thin presence of passengers in public transports and employees of different government or non-government offices will have to ensure for few more days after Eid holidays. Besides, social, cultural, political or religious gatherings should be stopped until returning of normalcy. Everyone has to strictly follow the hygiene rules. Even if vaccinated, everyone must wear a mask. Only then can the situation be controlled.

Prof Mohammad Sahidullah, President of the National Technical Advisory Committee said, “If the Indian variant spreads in Bangladesh, the third wave of Corona may hit in June. The second wave that has been reduced can take U-turn again. That is why, we have to keep the borders closed for few more days.”

He further said, “The government failed to maintain health guidelines in context of Eid shopping and Eid holiday-makers that posing risk of further infection. People went home taking risk. Similarly, they are returning to working places again amid risk. There were also a large number of people on the launches on the way to home and return to Dhaka. Hygiene was neglected everywhere. Many people do not wear masks. They did not comply with the hygiene rules. People are now returning to working places in the same way after Eid. It can be a terrible situation.

Brigadier General AKM Nasir Uddin, Director of Dhaka North City Corporation’s (DNCC) Corona Hospital said, “We have many more festivals ahead, which are definitely important. But, those certainly cannot be more important than life. There is no doubt that the number of infections will definitely increase after seven to 10 days of Eid holidays. If, it unfortunately connects with the variants of our neighboring country India, it will be caused of a huge disaster. We all need to take care of this right now.”

“Although coronavirus infections are more prevalent in big cities including Dhaka and Chittagong in the country, the spread of the virus will increase in rural areas after Eid,” he added.

It is to be noted that lockdown has been going on in the country since April 5 to prevent corona infection.