Missing teamwork among the ministries have been blamed for marring Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s relentless effort in addressing the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

The hotchpotch situation has come into the fore after a counter remark of a senior minister over the government’s decision to reopen shopping malls ahead of the Eid festival.

“Lack of coordination among the ministries is very visible. All the ministries must work under one umbrella to overcome the corona situation,” said a senior leader of the ruling Awami League.

“If such hotchpotch situation continues, the government may have to pay a price in future,” said the leader in a rare comment by a ruling party member.

Bangladesh has so far reported 186 deaths in the country, while at least 12,425 cases of the contagious disease have been detected until 7:00pm Thursday.

Amid growing fears of an outbreak of the virus, the government has extended the general leave to May 16.

Social site users have been criticizing the government for its decision to reopen the garment factories, shopping malls and religious institutions despite giving some conditions.

The Cabinet Division in a gazette notification on Monday said, “Shops will be allowed to remain open to do business on a limited scale. But all have to maintain distance and follow health guidelines during buying and selling.”

Health Minister Zahid Maleque on Tuesday cast doubt over the decision of the government saying that the COVID-19 cases might see a spike in the country when businesses open on 10 May.

The reopening of shops and shopping malls ahead of Eid will surely help the stalled wheel of economy move again, but health experts warned that it will also lead to a steep rise in coronavirus cases, putting a serious strain on the country’s already overburdened healthcare system and may cost valuable lives.

Taking public safety into cognizance, Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Jamuna Future Park, Baitul Moqarram and other shopping malls announced that they would keep their shutters down until the Eid al-Fitr festival, set for end of this month.

The government has come under widespread criticism despite prime minister’s 24/7 efforts to contain the bug and save lives because most ministers are absent on the ground to deal with the crisis, apparently following the “stay home, stay safe” general call.

As the top politicians remain absent on the ground, a section of elected representatives have been busy looting food aid meant for the poor.

Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives has suspended 50 elected representatives, including 19 Union Parishad Chairmen and 29 members for embezzling aid materials meant for the poor.

The general mass is critical over the decision to suspend inter-district transport services during the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday.

“No-one will be allowed to leave their workplaces during the Eid holidays. Inter-district transport services will remain shut during this period,” said a notification of the Cabinet Division.