Border closure helped to curb Indian variant spread here: Health minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque has said that the decision on border closure helped much to contain the spread of deadly Indian variant in Bangladesh.

"Indian variant is too much aggressive. This variant has been found in few patients in Bangladesh too. But it could not spread much as the border with the neighbouring country was closed on time," the minister said in a briefing at his ministry today.

Zahid Maleque further said, "We will advise to keep the border closed until India's situation returns to normalcy."

Regarding vaccine, the health minister said, "We have talked with Russia, China, UK and USA for the vaccine and got positive response from some talks."

"We talked with India and UK for doses to complete the second doses. We placed order for three crore doses, but got only 70 lakh from India," the minister added.

He also urged young people to maintain hygiene rules and not to put their parents at risk by roaming outside.