Coronavirus: Bangladesh shuts train services

The government shut down all local, mail and commuter train services from Tuesday to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Bangladesh, reports UNB. 

Bangladesh Railway Director General Shamsuzzaman told UNB that the decision was taken at the highest level of the government.

“The services will remain shut until further notice,” he said, adding that intercity train services will be shut down gradually.

Bangladesh government on Monday declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4, aiming to prevent its transmission. 

Besides, the armed forces will remain in the field in the divisional and district towns including coastal areas across the country from Tuesday to aid the civil administration maintain social distancing and strengthen the coronavirus preventive measures.

Earlier on March 17, Bangladesh closed all educational institutions until March 31 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the global death toll from coronavirus or Covid-19 reached 16,510 as of Tuesday -- a mortality rate of 14 percent. The virus has so far infected 378,842 people around the world, according to worldometer.

 Of them, 260,268 are currently being treated with 12,062 in serious or critical condition. So far, 118,574 cases had outcomes and of them, 102,064 (86 percent) recovered.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh announced its third coronavirus death and six new cases, taking the number of patients to 33 in the country.