File Photo: Two visitors at a stall in Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Monday, February 3, 2020 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune

Many events have been called off or held virtually this year amid the coronavirus pandemic which struck the country in March
 

The next Amar Ekushey Book Fair will be organized virtually to prevent the transmission of coronavirus as the country prepares to tackle a possible second wave of Covid-19.

Dr Jalal Ahmed, member secretary of the book fair committee, said the traditional fair, organized every year by the Bangla Academy in February, would not take place next year.

Many events have been called off or held virtually this year amid the coronavirus pandemic which struck the country in March this year.

The government has been repeatedly urging the people to follow health guidelines and avoid mass gatherings.

With few vaccines currently available and uncertainty about when Bangladesh will be able to procure one, the government has ratcheted up awareness campaigns and taking steps such as "no mask, no service" to encourage the people stick to health guidelines.

Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 and the first death on March 18.

The country has so far recorded 487,849 cases with 6,986 fatalities with a mortality rate of 1.43%.