PM shares greetings for subdued Eid amid pandemic
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged people to exchange Eid greetings virtually, instead of in person, this year, to prevent spreading the novel coronavirus
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has shared her greetings with her countrymen, and people around the world, amid a different kind of Eid celebration this year – recalling the recent cyclone Amphan that battered the country's coastal districts and the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.
Mentioning that the ban on mass gatherings includes Eid congregations, the premier said this celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr will not be like that of previous years. She remarked this while delivering a speech at her official residence, Ganabhaban, in the capital, on Sunday evening, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The prime minister urged the countrymen to celebrate the Eid staying at home with family members and help the needy neighbours.
She expressed her gratitude toward frontline workers – including healthcare professionals, law enforcement agencies and journalists – for performing their duties during the holidays to contain the deadly virus.
The premier also discussed various financial steps, including a stimulus plan for businesspeople and aid for marginalised people, in her speech.
She also thanked Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling Awami League, for assisting farmers in harvesting paddy.
"They helped the farmers, following my instructions, and the farmers did not have to spend any money for harvesting purposes," said the premier. She also thanked the Krishak League, Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, and Awami League leaders who also cooperated with the farmers.
Mentioning the World Health Organisation's (WHO) warning that there will be no immediate recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the prime minister said, "We have to survive by dealing with the novel coronavirus until an effective vaccine for the virus is invented."
"Financial activities must be run in the interest of lives and livelihoods," she continued.
Urging coordinated efforts from people, the prime minister said any problem can be faced if there is an integrated effort.
"We have successfully fought the first two-and-a-half months of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country with cooperation and support from our countrymen," said the premier, assuring government support until the end of the pandemic.
She urged people to exchange Eid greetings virtually, instead of in person, this year, to prevent spreading the virus.