Omicron fatality rate low, no plan to impose lockdown now: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said the government is not considering lockdown at this moment but it will keep passengers limited in all types of transport.

"We'll reduce the number of passengers everywhere that we did earlier. We'll follow the same procedure. We're not thinking of lockdown. The good news is that the fatality rate due to Omicron is very low," he said.

The Foreign Minister said they will discourage travel through Bangladesh-India border on health safety grounds.

"… There should be more health safety measures (at the border). Hopefully, we'll be able to protect our people," Momen said. 

The Foreign Minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after the formal inauguration of booster Covid-19 vaccine doses for diplomats stationed in Dhaka at Sheikh Russel Gastroliver Institute and Hospital in the city.

Momen said he is delighted that they could arrange this special vaccination programme for all diplomats in Dhaka and their dependents.

"We're very thankful that so many countries came forward and have been donating vaccine doses under the COVAX facility," said the Foreign Minister.

The government has a plan to cover 80 percent people under the Covid-19 vaccination programme, including students.

Momen said the government is trying its best but still has a long way to go as a new variant Omicron has emerged.

"So far we're okay but we must protect ourselves. I would ask everyone to maintain health safety measures as much as you can," he added.

Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for arranging booster dose vaccination for the diplomatic community.

"EU is proud to be supporting the vaccination of the Bangladeshi population, with Team Europe delivering more than 10 million vaccines and EIB loan coming on-stream soon," the ambassador tweeted.