The movement of private vehicles has increased significantly in the last few days despite the government-imposed lockdown which was extended for another week to counter the surge in Covid-19 cases.
People who obtained movement passes are allowed to commute in their personal vehicles while those dedicated in emergency services are exempted from lockdown restrictions, as per the directives of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
On Thursday, rickshaws were seen plying on many roads of the capital, including Mirpur, Banani and Mohakhali areas.
The garment workers are allowed to join their workplaces as the government has kept export-oriented industries open during the lockdown.
Shops and shopping malls, however, remained closed as per lockdown restrictions.
Members of Police and RAB were seen monitoring vehicle movement and people setting up check-posts in different areas of the capital.
Asaduzzaman, a traffic Inspector, said, “The movement of private vehicles and rickshaws,light vehicles have increased in the last few days but we are allowing only those who have movement passes to commute.”
“Only those in emergency services are allowed to move freely,” he added.
A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for an eight-day complete lockdown from April 14. The cabinet division issued a notification in this regard on April 12.
Later, following the shattering situation of Covid-19 cases, the government extended the ongoing lockdown by another week from April 22 in an effort to bring the situation under control.
A circular was issued on April 20 extending the ongoing strict lockdown for another week from April 22, aiming to curb the transmission of Covid-19.
The operations of international special flights and banking activities will continue while other restrictions will remain in force till 28 April midnight.
“The lockdown will remain in force from April 22 to 28 with the same restrictions imposed in the previous week. It’ll be a tougher one,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said on April 19.
As coronavirus cases continued to rise alarmingly since mid-March, the government imposed an apparently loose nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain its spread. Later a stricter lockdown was declared from April 14 to 21.
