Notice on when Covid positive docs can join work sparks resentment | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
July 03, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JULY 03, 2025
Notice on when Covid positive docs can join work sparks resentment

Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Tawsia Tajmim
29 May, 2020, 09:00 pm
Last modified: 30 May, 2020, 12:13 am

Related News

  • DGHS extends Tk50 dengue test fee at govt hospitals till 31 Dec 
  • Highest number of dengue patients hospitalised in last 24 hours
  • Beat the heat: DGHS issues health advisory as temperatures soar
  • Dengue: 41 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • Govt plans to recruit 5,000 physicians: DGHS chief

Notice on when Covid positive docs can join work sparks resentment

Doctors see no problem with the instructions to use N-95 masks but react negatively to joining work 10 days after testing positive for Covid-19

Tawsia Tajmim
29 May, 2020, 09:00 pm
Last modified: 30 May, 2020, 12:13 am
Representational Image. File Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed/TBS
Representational Image. File Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed/TBS

Covid-19 positive health workers, including doctors and nurses of different hospitals in the country, will be able to join work 10 days after they show coronavirus symptoms, the health directorate has said in a notice.

The notice also says asymptomatic patients will be able to join work 10 days after testing positive. Doctors have reacted negatively to this.

The Directorate General of Health Services issued the notice on May 28 with two instructions.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The notice signed by the director (hospital and clinic) of the health directorate said the instructions were given as per the recommendations of the National Technical Committee.

However, the National Technical Advisory Committee said they do not know anything about this.

If a caregiver is infected with Covid-19, he/she will be able to join work if he/she has no fever (without fever-reducing medication) for at least three days after showing symptoms and his/her respiratory symptoms have adequately improved, the notice said.

In addition, six N-95 masks can be used for two months by following specific rules.

Although doctors saw no problem with the instructions to use N-95 masks, they reacted negatively to joining work ten days after testing positive.

A doctor at Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital in the capital told The Business Standard, "We have received the notice of the health directorate. We will discuss this with the higher authorities."

The doctor, who did not want to be named, said, "When a patient tests negative, we tell him to stay in isolation for another 14 days. Considering that, it is not right to ask doctors to join work after ten days. Doctors in our hospitals who have been infected with the coronavirus so far have been asked to return to work two weeks after testing negative. Asymptomatic patients are the most dangerous. They are silent spreaders. So, we think this notice is controversial."

Professor Nazrul Islam, a virologist and member of the National Advisory Committee on Coronavirus, agreed with the doctor.

He told The Business Standard, "Covid-19 patients have to be in isolation for 14 days after testing negative. In that case, anyone who wants to join work must ensure that he is negative. You cannot join work just because you do not have symptoms. This is more important for doctors because coronavirus can spread from doctors to many others. The risk is higher for asymptomatic patients."

He said the health directorate did not hold any discussion with the Technical Advisory Committee before issuing the notice.

However, doctors said the decision on N-95 mask was scientifically correct. A doctor of the intensive care unit at Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital said N-95 masks were in a short supply all over the world now.

"The World Health Organisation has set guidelines and different countries are following those. Even if the mask is short in supply, treatment should be continued. So, alternatives are being considered. It is said that the virus can live up to 72 hours on any object. So, if different masks are used for example on day one, day two, day five, there will be no virus in those.

"There will be 20 days of quarantine and family time in two months. So, a mask will be used for a maximum of four days. This can be done when resources are limited," he said.

An official of the health directorate echoed this view. Seeking anonymity, he said four masks could be used for up to five cycles due to the shortage of N-95 masks.

"However, if the mask is damaged or contaminated, it cannot be reused. Doctors would not have misunderstood if the instructions in the health directorate notice were explained."

In this regard, the director (hospital and clinic) of the health directorate, Aminul Hasan, told The Business Standard he had implemented the recommendations of the National Technical Committee. "This is an internal matter of doctors. Journalists are complicating the matter."

Top News

DGHS / notice / infected healthworker

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Govt to pay 3-year high ACU bill of $2b next week
    Govt to pay 3-year high ACU bill of $2b next week
  • A file photo of the NBR Bhaban in Agargaon, Dhaka
    NBR officers gripped by fear as govt gets tough  
  • Bangladesh National Parliament. File Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain
    Has the time come for Bangladesh to embrace PR? 

MOST VIEWED

  • Govt lowers interest rates on savings instruments
    Govt lowers interest rates on savings instruments
  • File photo of Bangladesh Public Service Commission logo. Photo: Collected
    Repeat recommendations in 44th BCS spark vacancy fears
  • File photo of Chattogram Port/TBS
    Ctg port handles record 32.96 lakh containers in FY25, revenue hits Tk75,432 crore
  • Chief adviser’s Special Envoy for International Affairs and Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi
    Fake documents submission behind visa complications for Bangladeshis: Lutfey Siddiqi
  • Zakir Hossain. Photo: Collected
    Ctg customs commissioner suspended for joining NBR officials' 'complete shutdown'
  • Controversial taxman Matiur’s rulings cost govt Tk1000cr in lost revenue
    Controversial taxman Matiur’s rulings cost govt Tk1000cr in lost revenue

Related News

  • DGHS extends Tk50 dengue test fee at govt hospitals till 31 Dec 
  • Highest number of dengue patients hospitalised in last 24 hours
  • Beat the heat: DGHS issues health advisory as temperatures soar
  • Dengue: 41 new cases reported in 24hrs
  • Govt plans to recruit 5,000 physicians: DGHS chief

Features

Illustration: TBS

The buildup to July Uprising: From a simple anti-quota movement to a wildfire against autocracy

5h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Ulan Daspara: Remnants of a fishing village in Dhaka

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Innovative storage accessories you’ll love

3d | Brands
Two competitors in this segment — one a flashy newcomer, the other a hybrid veteran — are going head-to-head: the GAC GS3 Emzoom and the Toyota CH-R. PHOTOS: Nafirul Haq (GAC Emzoom) and Akif Hamid (Toyota CH-R)

GAC Emzoom vs Toyota CH-R: The battle of tech vs trust

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Will Syria normalise relations with Israel?

Will Syria normalise relations with Israel?

4h | Others
Multinational companies' participation in the Israeli massacre in Gaza

Multinational companies' participation in the Israeli massacre in Gaza

5h | Others
July fighter Fahim doesn't want to be a burden.

July fighter Fahim doesn't want to be a burden.

5h | TBS Stories
The government has reduced the profit on savings certificates; what is its impact on the common man?

The government has reduced the profit on savings certificates; what is its impact on the common man?

6h | Podcast
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net