Staff Correspondent: Dhaka, Jul-27,

The Covid-19 vaccination program at union level will start across the country on August 7, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday.

The minister announced the government's decision while talking to reporters after a meeting held at the conference room of the Cabinet division.

“The prime minister has ordered speeding up the vaccination drive. One can get vaccinated at the union level by showing his or her NID card. Vaccination centers will be set up in unions across the country before August 7,” he said.    

Those who do not have any NID will be vaccinated under a special arrangement, he added. 

The minister said, “Garment factory owners demanded reopening of their factories maintaining health guidelines but we didn’t agree as the ongoing lockdown will continue until August 5.”

Regarding the loose restrictions, he said members of law enforcement agencies who are in the field have been instructed to enforce the lockdown more strictly and make sure everyone wears a mask. 

Family members of the frontline workers who are above 18 years will get Covid jabs, Asaduzzaman said replying to a question.

About the possibility of extending the lockdown, the minister said it was not discussed at the meeting. 

Health Minister Zahid Maleque said people aged over 50 years will be prioritized for vaccination as most of the patients being admitted to the hospital belong to this age group and many of them have not received vaccines yet. 

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, the chiefs of BGB and Police were, among others, present at the meeting.