The government shut down educational institutions, all non-essential services and urged people to stay indoors. The shutdown was extended till May 5 after the health authorities declared the whole country ‘vulnerable to infection’ and imposed heavy restriction on movement.
But the situation did not improve.
All economic activities came to a grinding halt, forcing millions of low-income people and daily wage earners out of their jobs. On the other hand, the people showed a complete lack of responsibility and continued to ignore repeated warnings to stay indoors and maintain social distancing.
Although the government moved swiftly and announced stimulus packages to offset the impact of coronavirus on the economy, many people still complained of not benefiting from various schemes and protested in some places.
Hunger forced many people to come out on the streets in the hope of earning a few bucks to feed their families.
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise – 8,231 confirmed cases and 170 deaths until Friday morning – the government is likely to extend the shutdown further.
Here are some photos taken by UNB photographers depicting life in Dhaka during the shutdown.
Thousands of people thronged the Sadarghat even after the authorities announced halting launch operations.
Thousands of thronged the Kamalapur Railway Station to leave the capital soon after the government announced general holiday.
Dhaka’s overcrowded streets became notoriously empty after the government announced holidays as millions left the capital for their villages. A very small number of vehicles are seen in this aerial shot of Jatrabari flyover.
Empty boats and launches are docked at the Sadarghat, a place that always teems with people fell silent.
The shutdown gave birth to an unprecedented sight: An empty Sadarghat
Volunteers spray disinfectant on vehicles at Bijoy Sarani.
Police are not allowing anyone to enter or leave Dhaka without valid reasons to prevent further transmission of coronavirus. A policeman wearing PPE is questioning a commuter at Gabtoli.
The main road of the New Market is empty.
No one is seen in the usually busy Kamalapur Railway Station.
No one is waiting at the airport. Bangladesh stopped flight operations on domestic and international routes during the coronavirus outbreak.
The always busy Bijoy Sarani intersection is empty as most people left Dhaka and those who are still in the capital are hardly coming out on the key streets.
Police set up check posts at different places to stop people from coming out of their homes unnecessarily. This man came out with his motorcycle with a placard reading -- he is going to the hospital to visit a patient.
The announcement of the first coronavirus cases triggered panic buying of protective gears and sanitisers that exhausted the stock and pushed up the prices. Dhaka University students, and students from many other educational institutions, came forward to make hand sanitisers to meet the growing demand.
Some areas in Dhaka were locked down after detection of coronavirus cases.
The low-income people have been hit hard by the shutdown.
Hundreds of people wait for food aid in front of the Jatiya Press Club. They said they are more worried about food than coronavirus.
Stray animals are going hungry during the shutdown. Some volunteers are feeding the animals.
A man is offering prayers outside the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The government imposed restrictions on offering prayers at mosques to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Hundreds of RMG workers protested in Dhaka demanding dues amid the shutdown.
Thousands of workers started returning to Dhaka after the BGMEA announcement. This photo was taken from Mawa.
People coming to Dhaka after BGMEA announcement are crammed in ferries. Talk about social distancing!
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose as the number of tests was increased. A medical staff at BSMMU is collecting sample from a suspect for coronavirus test.
Given that coronavirus is highly contagious, people avoid attending funerals of their family members. A small number of volunteers are seen performing namaz-e-janaza before burial at Khilgaon graveyard.