Road Transport and Bridges Minister
'Strict’ lockdown again if health rules violated: Quader
The government will impose a ‘strict’ lockdown again if health safety rules are not followed everywhere, including the public transport, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader warned on Sunday.
Quader, also the general secretary of Awami League, made the remarks at a regular briefing from his residence in the morning.
“When the public transport will be allowed to resume operation after the lockdown, everyone will have to maintain the social-distancing rules strictly,” said the minister.
Also read: Metro train coaches being moved to depot: Quader
On Saturday, Obaidul Quader said the government was planning to resume public transport services once the current ‘strict lockdown’’ is over.
The government is considering the resumption of public transport services in the interest of people on condition that the health guidelines will be followed properly.
Urging everyone to follow health protocols even if the lockdown is relaxed, Quader said the use of masks and hand sanitisers should be made mandatory.
Also read: Quader to BNP: 'Stop paying lip service amid Covid-19'
On March 31, the government raised the fares of all buses, including inter-district ones, by 60 per cent as the vehicles are allowed to carry only half the passengers of the total seats of a bus to ensure social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Govt mulls resuming public transport services
The government is working on a plan to allow the public transport to resume operations once the current lockdown is over, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday.
The minister said this at a views-exchange meeting with the officials of Barishal Road Zone, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) and Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
Quader joined the meeting virtually from his official residence.
Also read: Govt allows public transport to operate during lockdown
Bus owners and workers will face toughest action if any bus carries passengers more than 50 percent of its capacity or charges additional fare, the minister warned.
1.25 crore families to receive food aid: Quader
Awami League general secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said 1.25 crore families will receive food aid.
He also said that 35 lakh will get Eid gift from the Prime Minister very soon.
Awami League General Secretary made the announcement while addressing a press briefing at his official residence.
Also read: Zero-tolerance against irregularities in relief activities: Obaidul Quader
Sheikh Hasina's government is sincerely trying to coordinate the lives and livelihoods of the people during this coronavirus pandemic. As part of it, food assistance will be provided to 1.25 crore families who were affected by the lockdown. Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will operate the distribution campaign.
He also said the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will provide financial assistance to 35 lakh poor families as Eid gifts ahead of the Eid.
Also read: Prepare a list of instigators of terrorism: Quader
Deputy Commissioners and Upazila Nirbahi Officers were directed to make a list in this regard.
Meanwhile, he urged all private organisations and individuals alongside the government to help the affected people during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Infrastructure construction works kept outside increasingly loose lockdown
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday said that the construction of infrastructure will be free from the lockdown ban.
He instructed everyone to follow the hygiene rules and wear masks all the time.
Obaidul Quader said this at an exchange meeting with engineers of the Roads and Highways Department this morning.
He joined the meeting virtually from his residence.
Also read: Bangladesh’s complete lockdown set to begin on Apr 14; notification issued
The Road Transport Minister instructed to move ahead with the construction work before the onset of the monsoon, adding that now is the right time to work before the monsoon.
He said the road would remain empty as there was a ban on public transport on the lockdown starting from the 14th April, so the damaged road would have to be repaired at this time to make it suitable for traffic.
The Minister also directed to complete the paper work of the projects which are planned to be taken up now so that the construction work can be started as soon as the dry season arrives.
Obaidul Quader said that revolutionary changes have taken place in road communication in the last few years and these works need to be taken further.
Also read: Follow lockdown restrictions: IGP to people
The Minister urged the concerned to give top priority to the work of upgrading the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar road to four lanes.
Obaidul Quader said the project to upgrade the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four is a long-term demand of the people of Sylhet.
The Minister called for solving the process of acquisition of land during the implementation of the project or before the commencement of work.
Govt considering complete lockdown from April 14: Quader
The government is considering imposition of a complete lockdown from April 14 to stem the spread of Covid-19, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said Friday.
Also read:Govt allows public transport to operate during lockdown
“The ongoing one-week lockdown doesn't seem to change the apathy of people. People's negligence and indifference are rising, along with coronavirus infections and fatalities in the country," the Awami League general secretary told reporters at his regular media briefing.
"The government is thinking of imposing a complete lockdown from April 14, in public interest," he added.
The government imposed a nationwide lockdown for a week from April 5 as part of its tougher move to contain the rapid spike in both coronavirus infections and fatalities.
However, facing numerous demonstrations post-lockdown, the government allowed the resumption of public transport services in the city corporation areas from Wednesday as well as reopening of shops and shopping malls for five days from Friday.
Homebound people flock at launch and bus terminals dreading ‘lockdown’
Homebound people have started swarming into cities' launch and bus terminals as the announcement of countrywide lockdown came on Saturday.
On Saturday morning, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the government is set to announce a seven-day lockdown from Monday to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Since the declaration, people are dreading the suspension of all public transportation across the country and crowding at the bus and launch terminals.
Railways Minister MD Nurul Islam Sujan said passenger train services will remain suspended across the country during the countrywide lockdown period.
Joynal Abedin, joint director for Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) told UNB no announcement of suspending launch services has been made.
Also read: Govt to enforce 7-day lockdown from Monday: Quader
Yet dreading the upcoming suspension number of homebound people at the terminals has increased from this afternoon, said BIWTA’s joint director.
Sales manager of Hanif Paribahan bus service’s Kallyanpur counter, Nahid Hasan said bus counters were already packed with passengers as the bus owners were carrying 50 percent less passengers according to the Government’s order from Wednesday.
As the declaration of lockdown came today the crowd of passengers increased more, he said.
Unique bus service’s Gabtali counter man Sulaiman said, passengers are frightened about being stuck hence they are flocking at the ticket counters to leave the city within a day or two.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
Amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 cases, Bangladesh recorded 5,683 fresh cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours until Saturday.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 5,638 cases, 58 more deaths
The infection rate slightly fell to 23.15 percent from 23.28 percent on Friday when the country recorded 6,830 cases, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.
Bangladesh has so far recorded 630,277 coronavirus cases, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
During the 24-hour period until Saturday morning, 2,364 patients recovered, taking the number of recoveries to 549,775.
Meanwhile, the fatalities rose to 9,213 with the new deaths.
No domestic flight operations during lockdown: CAAB
The flight operations on domestic routes will remain suspended immediately after enforcement of lockdown, said Air-Vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) on Saturday.
However, flights on international routes will operate as usual until further notice, he told UNB.
He said a notice regarding suspension of domestic flights will be issued after the official announcement of lockdown.
Also read: Govt to enforce 7-day lockdown from Monday: Quader
Earlier today Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that the government is set to impose a seven-day lockdown from Monday to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Meanwhile State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain also stated that the announcement of a countrywide seven-day lockdown would come within two or three days.
However, industries or essential services will remain out of the purview of lockdown, said both the ministers.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 5,638 cases, 58 more deaths
Covid-19 in Bangladesh
The number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise as 5,683 people tested positive in the last 24 hours until Saturday morning.
Besides, the death toll from the novel coronavirus climbed to 9,213 in Bangladesh after 58 more deaths during the period.
Covid-19: Govt raises bus fares
In the wake of growing Covid-19 cases, the government has increased the fares of public transport by 60 percent across the country, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.
The order will remain in force for the next two weeks, said Obaidul Quader while talking to reporters at a press briefing.
Also read: Proposed partial lockdown in areas with high Covid-19 cases: Health Minister
Passengers will have to pay the additional bus fares from Wednesday, he said.
Earlier on May 31, 2020, the government raised the fares of inter-district and long-haul (Dhaka, Chittagong cities and adjoining areas) buses and minibuses by 60 percent in order to compensate bus owners carrying 50 percent less passengers to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday issued an 18-point directive for the next two weeks in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Bangladesh.
Also read: 25-30% bus seats must be kept empty, no standing passengers: Quader
The Health Ministry has also proposed partial lockdowns for some places with higher Coronavirus transmission rates, Health Minister Zahid Maleque said Monday.
Partial lockdown, closure of amusement centres, limiting wedding ceremonies, picnic, religious gatherings, strengthening quarantine system, limiting passengers in public transports, and limiting attendance in offices are some of the recommendations.
The ministry also proposed ensuring ‘no mask no service’ policy, increasing numbers of mobile courts and imposing fines on health guideline violators.
Bangladesh on Monday recorded its highest-ever single day infection (5,181) since the first cases were reported on March 8 last year.
The daily infection rate jumped to 18.38 percent from 17.65 percent on Sunday.
Also readNot heading back into lockdown: Quader
The total caseload rose to 600,895 while Bangladesh also reported 45 deaths, raising the national tally to 8,949, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
BNP observed Mar 7 to belittle it: Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday said the BNP observed the historic March 7 this year to belittle the significance of the occasion.
BNP’s plan to observe 7th March to have positive impact: Quader
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday said BNP's decision to observe the historic 7th March will cast a positive impact on the country's political environment.