The High Court has directed the authorities concerned to submit a progressive report within Monday on what kinds of preventive measures taken to fight coronavirus in the country.

The HC bench comprising of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with three directives on Thursday.

It also wants to know whether machines used for screening people have the capability or those tasked with screening are trained.

The bench asked the Health Ministry and Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to take necessary preparations including separate cabins for patients at all government and private hospitals.

It also asked the government to import necessary medical equipment for identifying coronavirus patients at all hospitals and ports on emergency basis.

Supreme Court lawyer Ishrat Zahan drew the attention of the court after submitting a report run by a newspaper. Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state.

Earlier on Sunday, Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallab filed a writ petition seeking an order to form a national monitoring cell to prevent coronavirus.

Coronavirus, which originated in China’s Wuhan, has infected more than 94,250 people globally and caused 3,214 deaths.