<p>The Bangladesh government on Thursday approved a low cost kit, developed by a private health research institute, to detect novel coronavirus cases in a mass scale, amidst reports of crisis of equipment in the country for such tests.</p>.<p>"We have issued a NOC (No Objection Certificate) to import raw materials to prepare the kits," a spokesman of Bangladesh's Drug Administration said.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-pm-narendra-modi-calls-for-janta-curfew-on-march-22-815461.html" target="_blank">PM Narendra Modi calls for 'Janta Curfew' on March 22</a></strong></p>.<p>The Gonoshasthaya Kendra, which developed the kit, had applied for clearance for import of raw materials.</p>.<p>"The government today gave approval to the coronavirus-detection kits and we have already started the process to import the raw materials required," the organisation's founder, Zafrullah Chowdhury, was quoted as saying by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency.</p>.<p>"We will start full-scale production in two weeks," he said, adding that each kit would cost Tk 300-Tk 350 (USD 3.54-USD 4.13).</p>.<p>According to Gonoshasthaya experts, the kit can examine samples to detect Covid-19 as fast as in 15 minutes.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the authorities on Thursday tightened travel restrictions in popular tourist destinations.</p>.<p>Health Minister Zahid Maleque said the government would lock down the most vulnerable areas if the coronavirus outbreak worsened.</p>.<p><a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-ipl-2020-postponed-till-april-15-799686.html"><strong>For latest updates on coronavirus outbreak, click here</strong></a></p>.<p>With four new COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday, the total number of coronavirus cases rose to 17, including one death.</p>.<p>Experts opine there is a risk of spread of the disease due to lack of appropriate protection measures, particularly for doctors, staff and patients in hospitals.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, a huge venue for an annual Muslim congregation is being converted as a mass quarantine centre on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka.</p>.<p>The government has already closed all schools banned all social, religious, political and cultural rallies for an indefinite period.</p>.<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday barred police and jail authorities to produce prisoners and suspects in courts for legal proceedings in view of the growing coronavirus infection.</p>
<p>The Bangladesh government on Thursday approved a low cost kit, developed by a private health research institute, to detect novel coronavirus cases in a mass scale, amidst reports of crisis of equipment in the country for such tests.</p>.<p>"We have issued a NOC (No Objection Certificate) to import raw materials to prepare the kits," a spokesman of Bangladesh's Drug Administration said.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-pm-narendra-modi-calls-for-janta-curfew-on-march-22-815461.html" target="_blank">PM Narendra Modi calls for 'Janta Curfew' on March 22</a></strong></p>.<p>The Gonoshasthaya Kendra, which developed the kit, had applied for clearance for import of raw materials.</p>.<p>"The government today gave approval to the coronavirus-detection kits and we have already started the process to import the raw materials required," the organisation's founder, Zafrullah Chowdhury, was quoted as saying by the state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) news agency.</p>.<p>"We will start full-scale production in two weeks," he said, adding that each kit would cost Tk 300-Tk 350 (USD 3.54-USD 4.13).</p>.<p>According to Gonoshasthaya experts, the kit can examine samples to detect Covid-19 as fast as in 15 minutes.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the authorities on Thursday tightened travel restrictions in popular tourist destinations.</p>.<p>Health Minister Zahid Maleque said the government would lock down the most vulnerable areas if the coronavirus outbreak worsened.</p>.<p><a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-live-updates-ipl-2020-postponed-till-april-15-799686.html"><strong>For latest updates on coronavirus outbreak, click here</strong></a></p>.<p>With four new COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday, the total number of coronavirus cases rose to 17, including one death.</p>.<p>Experts opine there is a risk of spread of the disease due to lack of appropriate protection measures, particularly for doctors, staff and patients in hospitals.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, a huge venue for an annual Muslim congregation is being converted as a mass quarantine centre on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka.</p>.<p>The government has already closed all schools banned all social, religious, political and cultural rallies for an indefinite period.</p>.<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday barred police and jail authorities to produce prisoners and suspects in courts for legal proceedings in view of the growing coronavirus infection.</p>