The Ministry of Home Affairs has given an instruction to celebrate Christmas and the New Year on a limited scale as part of precautionary measures in the wake of the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
On 14 December, a letter was sent from the Public Security Department under the ministry to the Inspector General of Police, Divisional Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Range DIG, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, President and Secretary General of Bangladesh Christian Association in this regard.
At present, number of infections in Bangladesh is fairly low, with regular life almost returning to normal in the past few months. However, Omicron has raised concern among health experts as it is spreading very quickly across the globe. It has already reached Bangladesh.
On the recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19, the Directorate of Health Services issued a 15-point directive which discourages any type of gatherings.
Tourist spots, entertainment centres, resorts, community centres, cinema halls, theatres and social events like wedding, reception, birthday, and picnics should keep the number of people limited to half of the capacity of the venue.
“Due to the coronavirus pandemic, social and religious events and gatherings are being scaled down across the globe and celebrated at home. Bangladesh has taken similar precautions and the celebrations of all religious festivals of the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist community have been scaled down.”
