Public transports went off streets and shopping malls remained shut in Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh as the government has enforced a strict lockdown ‘on a limited scale’ from Monday in an effort to bring the Covid situation under control.
The alarming surge in Covid cases and deaths caused by highly transmittable Delta variant prompted the government to announce the 3-day lockdown ahead of an all out lockdown from July 1.
Rickshaws and private vehicles were seen dominating the Dhaka streets on the first day of the lockdown.
People including office-goers were seen waiting on roads for a long time for rickshaws or motorbikes to reach their destinations.
Traffic police at different points are stopping vehicles and quizzing drivers and passengers, said traffic inspector of DMP Asaduzzaman (Mohakhali).
The Cabinet Division issued a circular over the fresh lockdown on Sunday.
The lockdown will remain in force from 6 am on June 28 to 6am on July 1, it said.
Movement of all modes of public transport except goods-laden vehicles and rickshaws will remain restricted and the members of law enforcement agencies will ensure it through regular patrolling, it said.
All shopping malls,markets, recreation centres, resorts, community centers, tourist spots will remain shut.
Hotels and restaurants will remain open from 8am to 8pm with online/takeway service.
Government and private offices will run with only necessary staff and they will arrange transport for office staff.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair on Saturday evening.
The repeated lockdowns have become a threat to the livelihoods of many in Bangladesh while disrupting travel and social life.
However, experts hope that stricter rules will bring positivity rates and fatalities down as the country is battling to get a second coronavirus wave under control.
The National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 pandemic on Thursday recommended imposing a “nationwide shutdown” for two weeks considering the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country.
A total of 119 people died in Bangladesh in 24 hours until Sunday morning, the biggest figure since the pandemic hit the country.
During the period, 5,268 more people came out positive with Covid-19 in 24,400 sample tests, said a handout issued by Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The country’s daily positivity rate fell to 21.59% Sunday from Saturday’s 22.50%.
