Law enforcers literally scrambled to impose Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in Dhaka on Wednesday, as the capital witnessed some rush-hour traffic in the morning. Though public transport vehicles stayed off the capital roads, police and armed forces personnel were seen flagging down several private cars and people they thought had stepped out for frivolous reasons on the 13th day of the countrywide strict lockdown aimed at reducing the Covid-19 contagion risk. Read: Dhaka's traffic overload that never ends, not even in lock.down The police imposed fines on commuters who failed to produce proper documents in support of their "emergency travel", while those with valid papers were allowed to go. Many without supporting documents bridled at such restrictions, resulting in heated exchange of words with cops. In fact, RAB and Army personnel patrolling the streets of Dhaka, alongside the local police, have set up check-posts in different areas of the city. At some places, traffic congestion was seen between 8.30 am and 11.30 am. Traffic inspector Akther Hossain (Uttara Rajlaxmi), said, “The pressure of private vehicles is higher than that of Tuesday, but we are only allowing those with valid reasons to travel." "Cases are also being filed against violators. Mobile courts are also slapping fines on lockdown violators," he said. In fact, people’s movement has significantly risen as export-oriented industries have started operations, the inspector said. "Ambulances and people going out for taking Covid jabs are being allowed to travel," Akther said. Read: Lockdown breaches: Police arrest 343 in Dhaka The nationwide lockdown, first imposed for 14-days until August 5, has now been extended for another five days till August 10 amid a surge in the Delta variant of Covid-19 infections across the country. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque announced the decision of the government to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday. He said shops, factories and offices would be allowed to reopen from August 11, "while public transport can ply roads on a limited scale once the lockdown is over". Read: Lockdown in Dhaka: Surging infections, soaring chaos Covid-19 situation Amid the merciless onslaught of Covid-19 in Bangladesh, the country recorded 236 more deaths linked to the virus in 24 hours till Tuesday morning. According to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 15,776 more people came out positive with the virus during the period after the test of 55,284 samples. The fresh numbers pushed the country’s death tally to 21,397 on Tuesday, with the caseload mounting to 1,296,093. Meanwhile, the daily test positivity rate fell to 28.58 % from Monday's 29.91%, while the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a 5% or below rate. The country has been seeing over 14,300 cases and 230 deaths every day on an average for the last seven days.

Although public transport movement remained suspended, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka on the 9th day of ‘strict’ lockdown on Saturday following the government’s announcement that mills and factories will reopen on Sunday (Aug 1). At the entry points of Dhaka, those who had left the capital for Eid-ul-Azha and did not return due to the closure of factories were seen entering the city on foot amid the lockdown. They were found walking into the capital through Abdullahpur Tongi Bridge, Ashulia Bridge, Aminbazar Bridge, Gabtoli, Babubazar Bridge and Postagola Bridge. Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj also saw a huge crowd as people from south western districts are coming back to the capital to join their work. Also read: Breaching Lockdown: 585 arrested, Tk 8.9 lakh realised in fines However, the streets in Dhaka saw a lower   number of private vehicles as Saturday is a public holiday.  

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.

Police arrested 621 people for being on the streets in capital Dhaka in violation of  a strictly-enforced lockdown on its third day Saturday. The arrestees were picked up while roaming in different parts of the city, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Iftekhairul Islam. He also said that Tk 19,22,350 was collected in penalties from vehicles across the capital under the Road Transport Act. Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 100+ daily deaths for one week However, the officer did not provide any information on the total number of vehicles sued. Besides, mobile courts slapped fines on 346 people collecting an amount of Tk 106450. Despite a vigilant position by the law enforcers,  the number of both people and vehicles taking to the streets increased a bit on the third day of lockdown. Also read: Lockdown: Third day sees more people, vehicles on roads, 184 detained Traffic Inspector Akter Hossain (Rajlaxmi Uttara), said “The number of vehicles is higher than the last two days but we are also active and allowing only those who have valid reasons to come out.” The government imposed a seven-day lockdown from July 1 to contain a surge of Covid-19 infections across the country.  It will continue until July 7 midnight.

The streets of capital Dhaka were largely deserted on the third day of a nationwide ‘strict’ lockdown compared to the first two days. Rickshaws, which were seen plying the city streets in the early days of the lockdown, were hardly seen today. Visiting Kakoli and Banani Chairman Bari on New Airport Road, Gulshan-1, Gulshan-2, Progoti Sarani, Merul Badda and Rampura areas, this correspondent saw vary few private cars and other private vehicles out on the streets. Also read: Govt to expats: Don’t come during lockdown, except for emergencies Traffic Inspector Asaduzzaan of Mohakhali area said the number of private vehicles as well as rickshaws is very thin on the weekend. All shops and business establishments on the main streets were seen closed on Friday. At the checkposts, the law enforcers did not stop people as often as they did on the first two days.  A large number of Muslim devotees were seen attending Jum’a prayers. Shops and shopping malls remained closed.  However, kitchen markets were open as usual but they were not operating in open spaces violating the government directives. Besides, many people were seen ignoring health guidelines.  A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for a strict lockdown to contain the virus’ transmission. Bangladesh recorded over 7,000 daily cases before the number fell below 4,500. Also read: Lockdown: Many in Dhaka ignore restrictions in open defiance On Friday, the country recorded 101 deaths - its highest single-day fatality - and 4,417 new cases. Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus case on March 8, 2020, and the first death on March 18 the same year. Amid the worsening Covid-19 situation, the government last week resorted to tough measures. The lockdown which began at 6am on April 14, will be in effect until April 21 midnight. 

The overall situation regarding implementation of lockdowns in two city corporations of the capital has reached a chaotic state as DSCC and DNCC authorities are unable to lock down all red zones announced by the health authorities at once.

Some 200 houses were put under lockdown in different parts of capital Dhaka on Tuesday as a number of residents from those areas tested positive for coronavirus.