As the ‘strict’ lockdown rolled into its 5th straight day on Tuesday, the streets in capital Dhaka saw a higher number of private vehicles with people trying to pick up the social life amid the worsening Covid situation.

When the restrictions were reimposed just after Eid-ul-Azha, the roads in the capital had fallen silent in the first few days. Part of it was the fact that many had retreated to their home districts or villages for Eid holiday, and were yet to return. 

But now things are changing fast with every passing day as the roads are becoming busier with the bustle of vehicles with many people returning to Dhaka defying the Covid restrictions and warnings by health authorities.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Tuesday arrested 555 people in the capital - maintaining the level from the previous two days and the traffic police department fined 497 vehicles a total of Tk 11,73,000 for violating lockdown rules.

Meanwhile, 236 people across the city were fined Tk 4,83,975 by mobile court for  not following health guidelines and restrictions.

Read: Farhad warns legal action if factories found open amid lockdown

Visiting Uttara, Abdullahpur, Banani, Mohakhali and Gabtali, Shyamoli, Asadgate and Mirpur areas, the UNB correspondent found roads quite busy, or as normal.

“People are showing numerous excuses for being out whenever we stop them at check posts,” said traffic inspector (Mohakhali) Asaduzzaman.

“However, we’re trying our best to allow only those who have valid reasons for coming out and filing cases against those who’re unable to justify getting out of home,” he said.

At different important points of the capital, members of the police Rab and BGB were seen patrolling and interrogating people and checking vehicles at check posts.  

Meanwhile, the two city corporations with other organizations conducted mobile courts to prevent the unnecessary movement of people and force them to maintain health rules and government-imposed restrictions.

Read: Lockdown Day 3: Banks reopen, 587 arrested, Tk 12.7 lakh fined

Most shops on main roads remained closed since morning but the small ones in lanes and by-lanes were found open.

The number of rickshaws was notably higher than the last few days of lockdown.  Some of the rickshaw-pullers said many have left the capital as they were unable to earn enough to survive in the lockdown.  

As per the government instructions, only ambulances and those in emergency services are allowed for movement in the capital.  

Reimposed at 8 am on July 23, the second round of strict lockdown will be in force till August 5, unless extended further.

Going through the most frightening stage of Covid-19, Bangladesh registered another highest single-day death toll of 258 on Tuesday.