Shutting only govt offices, public transports won’t help
The government has decided, once again, to extend the ongoing ‘strict’ lockdown for seven more days in an aim to control the coronavirus infection in the country. According to the new decision, the restrictions will remain in force till May 5. However, during this time, all sectors but government offices and public transports will remain open. The very first question that arises from this decision is: where will the restrictions be imposed while almost all sectors are being opened? Doesn’t it seem that the government is double-minded over what to do in this grave context of the biggest-ever health crisis in the world.
The government repeatedly says that the main purpose of the lockdown is to restrict free public movements and rallies whereas, at the same time, it lets almost every sector be open. It further seems the lockdown has been imposed to only keep all government offices and public transports shut. In the present context based on the government decision, it appears that the coronavirus spreads only from government offices and public transports and also that it does not have anything to do with all other sectors although they are open. Such a step by the government is either whimsical or makes no sense. An incoherent lockdown will never reduce infections; rather the crisis will worsen further.
Apparently, Bangladesh has developed its own definition of lockdown, which has no congruence with the scientific definition. If markets are open, people will be crowding there to buy their necessities. If restaurants sell foods openly, customers will be thronging there. Similarly, if private offices and other businesses are allowed to run freely, or if garment factories remain open, thousands of workers will go out to work. It will be impossible to prevent social distancing from being flouted on a mass scale. As a result, the scientific purpose of lockdown – keeping people at home, isolated from social contacts – will not be attained.
Actually, it is unscientific lockdown, and the authorities concerned have messed it up as they have not followed the scientific rules and regulations. The lockdown that was imposed last year in the camouflage of general holidays was also unplanned. Moreover, the nationwide lockdown is being imposed by the administrative decision and we doubt health experts have any involvement into the process. Scientifically, there is no lockdown that lasts for only seven days. Rather, it ranges from a minimum of 15 days to a maximum of 21 days. Health experts say the incubation period of the coronavirus is 15 days, and a proper lockdown during these 15 days, along with six additional days afterwards, can prevent the spread of the virus.
There is doubt whether the lockdown, being extended time and again, will produce any notable results. We, through this column, repeatedly urged the government to follow the instructions of the health experts and go for a lockdown that would count. An ineffective lockdown will only take its toll on the livelihood of the people and disturb public life.