Coronavirus lockdown
From the margins to frontliners: Trans volunteers step up
The strict lockdown imposed countrywide from April 14 to put a leash on the soaring transmission of Covid-19 in Bangladesh will stay in force till at least April 28.
As boundless agonies of marginal income earners become more evident every day, some of them have taken the initiative to turn the table on the face of crisis by volunteering as frontline workers providing critical and emergency services during the pandemic.
Also read: Bangladesh’s Covid death toll nears 11,000 as cases surge
A UNB photojournalist had the opportunity to witness one such extremely vulnerable group – who identify as third gender or transgender – hard at work to earn their keep, even as the lockdown presents a whole new set of risks and dilemmas.
Many of them depend entirely on irregular incomes from daily work in the informal sector. But many have lost their basic income source as the lockdowns come down particularly hard on informal work.
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
Brought together by Brihonnola, a platform for the transgender community, these volunteers have stepped forward to fill a critical gap serving Covid-19 patients and their families, fully aware that the risk of infection is far greater in such settings.
The photos were taken as they went about their work at Dhaka Medical College Hospital's Covid-19 unit.
Also read: Transgender community members hold cleanup campaign at DU
Dhaka’s air quality improved in lockdown, a blessing in disguise!
The air quality of Dhaka city has made a marked improvement by some 45pc on average a day during the first seven days of the Covid-19 lockdown due to the low level of emissions.
According to a survey conducted by Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS) of Stamford University Bangladesh, four reasons effectively worked behind the strange improvement in the air quality.
Read Dhaka keeps grappling with ‘hazardous’ air
It said low traffic flow, suspension of road renovation and construction works and lack of activities to burn wastes led to the improvement in the air quality though it is said to be a short-lived gain.
Even the air pollution declined by 70pc in some areas in the city during the April 14-21 period, the survey says.
Read No respite from pollution as Dhaka’s air quality still ‘unhealthy’
The survey was carried out under a project titled “Promoting Democratic Governance and Collective Advocacy for Environmental Protection in Dhaka City” with financial support from USAID and UKAid.
As part of the survey, the air quality was measured using automatic equipment for eight hours a day in 10 areas of the capital.
Also read: Dhaka is world's most polluted city
The measurement showed that the air quality has improved on average 45pc a day from April 14 to 21 last.
Online Eid Fair: UNDP-backed online marketplace teams up with Joyeeta Foundation
"Anondomela" an online marketplace initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for small and medium enterprises, has partnered with Joyeeta Foundation to organise the largest online fair for Eid during the COVID pandemic.
Anondomela Facebook page (facebook.com/anondomelashop) will remain active for the fair from April 24 to May 6, from 8 am to 8 pm, with an array of clothing, jewellery, home decor, food items and other knick-knacks from women-led small and medium enterprises, according to a UNDP press release.
Anondomela was launched by UNDP in April 2020 as an online marketplace for SMEs struggling to make sales amid the pandemic.
Read Retailers brace for flood of returns from online shopping
"Our initiative aims to ease the pressure that the Covid-19 crisis has put on these very small and largely informal entrepreneurs, at a time when most feel naturally inclined to demonstrate more social solidarity and care during the holy month," said Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Sudipto Mukerjee.
Joyeeta Foundation is a long-running initiative of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. The foundation empowers women entrepreneurs and artisans by creating a secure channel for them to showcase and sell their products.
"During this ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, when our entrepreneurs are struggling to survive, we are glad to be organising this online fair that will give them an opportunity to sell their products to a large audience. This online fair is part of our continuous efforts to come to people's aid in their time of need," said Joyeeta Foundation's Managing Director Afroza Khan.
Read Walton offers big discounts on online purchases
The online fair will have five 30-minute slots that will be divided among entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs can post details about their products and directly connect with buyers.
They can also promote their businesses through this opportunity.
Interested SMEs are encouraged to join Anondomela as a seller to participate in the fair. Their products can be delivered seamlessly through 'ekshop' delivery.
Read Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
Bangladesh’s Covid death toll nears 11,000 as cases surge
Bangladesh recorded 83 more Covid-related deaths in 24 hours until Saturday morning, raising the total fatalities to 10,952.
Bangladesh’s coronavirus fatalities crossed 10,000 on April 15 and the death tally reached near 11,000 within 10 days as the country finds it hard to deal with the pandemic.
With the latest figure, the mortality rate rose to 1.48 percent from Friday’s 1.47 percent, the Directorate General of Health Services said in a handout.
Also read: Govt mulls resuming public transport services
Besides, 2,697 new cases were detected during the period after examining 20,571 samples.
The daily infection rate fell to 13.11 percent from Friday’s 14 percent.
Bangladesh has so far tested 5,323,579 samples.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
With the news cases, the total caseload reached 742,400 while the total number of recoveries is 653,151, including 5477 in the last 24 hours.
April sees 1,906 coronavirus deaths
April has been the deadliest month since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, with 1,906 deaths and 127,632 new cases being recorded in the past 24 days.
The virus claimed 568 lives in January this year, 281 in February and 638 in March.
Dhaka division remains the worst-hit region, registering most of the deaths – 6,345 or 58.41 percent.
Also read: 25 Covid patients die in Delhi hospital
Fifty-two of the 83 deaths reported today are from Dhaka division and 13 from Chattogram division.
Three each died in Rajshahi, Sylhet, Rangpur, four in Barishal and five in Khulna divisions.
Of 1,068 ICU hospital beds across the country, 322 are now available.
Meanwhile, 7,074 general hospital beds, out of 12,237, are unoccupied right now.
The surge in Covid infections prompted the government to go for a lockdown from early April but it turned out to be lax and loose. From April 11, the government imposed a ‘stricter lockdown’ and later extended it upto April 28.
On Friday, the government allowed shopping malls to reopen from April 25.
Improvement ‘unlikely before June’
Meanwhile, a group of experts from both Bangladesh and Oxford University said that the country will witness the similar infection rate intermittently till the end of May while the situation may improve in June.
The possibility was projected in a mathematical model used by Bangladesh Como Modelling Group.
Vaccination campaign
Launched on February 7, a vaccination drive is underway across Bangladesh with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
Bangladesh signed an agreement with the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd for 30 million doses of the vaccine. But a record number of cases in India has made the delivery of the vaccine doses uncertain.
On Thursday, Foreign Minister AK Momen assured people that there will be adequate doses of the vaccine.
So far, 5,778,686 people have received the first dose and 1,967,975 have got their second jab, according to official figures.
Also read: COVID-19 continues to disrupt essential health services in 90pc of countries: WHO
Govt likely to ease lockdown after Apr 28
The restrictions on movement are likely to be relaxed to some extent from April 28, two weeks before the Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of the Muslims.
But there has not been any final decision yet and it is not clear right now to which extent the restrictions will be slackened. “The decision will be taken on April 28,” State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told UNB.
Read Extension of lockdown causing anxiety among low income earners
“Even if the restrictions are relaxed, we’ll have to properly maintain health guidelines and the government will ensure strict implementation of ‘no mask, no service’ policy,” he said.
State Minister Farhad said health guidelines will be ensured after the shops and shopping malls are opened from April 25.
“Covid infections can be kept in check if all of us follow health guidelines, wear masks and maintain recommended physical distancing,” he said. “We’ll get a positive result if we follow the restrictions until April 28. We’re focusing on health rules.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
No decision on public transport
Asked what the relaxed lockdown will look like, State Minister Farhad said there won’t be many restrictions. “The existing ones will be limited. There’ll be guidelines for daily life,” he said.
A circular will be issued within April 28 on the operation of offices.
Farhad said they are discussing the public transport issue. “There hasn’t been any decision yet. But once they resume, we’ll ensure that health rules are strictly followed,” he noted.
Read More people, vehicles on Dhaka roads in defiance of lockdown rules
GM Quader for withdrawal of lockdown
Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said the ongoing lockdown should be withdrawn immediately as it is not possible to achieve anything from such restrictions without ensuring people’s food security.
In a statement, he also urged the government to distribute relief materials immediately to ease the sufferings of the poor and day-labourers.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 88 deaths, 3629 new cases
“It’s not possible to reap any benefit from the lockdown without ensuring food security. As there’re crores of people who live from hand to mouth in the country, they have to come out of their homes to save their lives,” the Jatiya Party chief said.
He said the working people are silently going through immense sufferings due to the lockdown enforced by the government on April 14. “The low-income people are suffering unbearably as they have become jobless."
Also read: Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
GM Quader said common people are facing financial fines for coming out of their homes in search of work. “Overburdened with debt, the common people also can’t share their ordeals with anyone.”
Referring to different studies, he said around 2.5 crore people have become poor due to the adverse impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. “So, the financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister for those who affected by the lockdown is absolutely inadequate.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
He called upon the government to provide necessary financial assistance to the people affected by the coronavirus.
“I also urge the government to ease the lockdown. If it's possible, the lockdown should be completely withdrawn," the Jatiya Party chairman added.
Kamalapur Railway Station wears eerie look
The railways offering a cheaper and safer alternative is the preferred mode of transportation for the people. But public transportation has remained suspended since a lockdown was enforced earlier this month. Kamalapur Railway Station, which usually teems with life, has fallen silent.
With the extended lockdown, passenger train services will remain suspended until April 28, as part of the government’s measures to curb the transmission of coronavirus.
Also read: Lockdown: Pvt cars rise on Dhaka roads
In the last 24 hours until Thursday morning, the country recorded 98 deaths and 4,014 new infections pushing the total number of cases to 736,074, said the Directorate General of Health Services.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 98 more deaths, 4014 new infections
An UNB photographer captured photos of an empty and eerie Kamalapur Railway Station wearing a dejected look.
Dr Zafrullah finds lockdown allocation too small, slams govt
Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made “fun of people” by allocating 10.50 crore to provide assistance to the poor and insolvent people who have been hit hard by the lockdown.
Speaking at a token sit-in programme at the Central Shaheed Minar, he said the government can allocate one billion dollars from the foreign exchange reserves for providing food aid to the poor.
“The situation is getting worse every day. As per different research, the number of poor families in Bangladesh has exceeded 2.15 crore. The Prime Minister has allocated only Tk 10.5 crore for these 2.5 crore families. This means that each family will get Tk 4.25,” Dr Zafrullah said.
He said, “What can take the poor with such a small amount of money in this month of Ramadan. Our Prime Minister is making such a joke.”
Also read: Covid-19 in Bangladesh: PM allocates Tk 10.50cr for affected poor
Zafrullah, a freedom fighter, said the government has declared that it has foreign exchange reserve of $43 billion. “So, allocate $1 billion from there to provide food assistance to 2.25 crore poor families.”
He also urged the political parties and the rich to come forward to help the poor at this time of the pandemic.
He questioned whether the political parties, including BNP and leftist ones, businessmen and one lakh rich families can raise Tk 10 crore in seven days with united efforts countering the Prime Minister’s ‘mockery’. “I would like to remind those who have become the owners of crores of taka enjoying the benefits of the Liberation War that the nation won’t forgive you, if you don’t extend your helping hand at this time.”
Speaking at the programme, Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the government is least bothered about the sufferings of people as it has no value.
He called upon the Prime Minister to apologise to people for allocating only Tk 10 crore for poor families.
Also read: Over 1mn Covid-affected families to get PM’s Eid gift through bKash
Manna demanded the government present a framework to ensure sufficient food support to poor families.
Economist Dr Reza Kibria urged the government to allocate Tk 35,000 crore to ensure food security for poor families during the coronavirus pandemic.
He also called upon the government to ensure the proper use of the grants by various agencies for dealing with the coronavirus.
14,000 expatriate workers left country in five days: CAAB
A total of 14,000 expatriate workers left the country for Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Singapore from April 17 to 21 amid the countrywide lockdown enforced to contain the Covid-19 transmission.
Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) Chairman Air Vice-Marshal M Mafidur Rahman said the workers flew for their designations after flight operations for expatriates resumed on April 17.
Also read: Biman to run special flights to 5 countries from Apr 17
Besides, transit passengers of other countries also flew along with these 14,000 expatriate workers, he said.
Earlier on April 15, the government decided to operate special flights of national flag-carrier Biman to five countries, including four in the Middle East with high concentration of Bangladeshi expat workers from April 17.
Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers
The special flights can be availed to fly to three cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah), two of the United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Oman's Muscat, and Qatar's Doha in the ME, as well as the city-state Singapore, said Tahera Khandaker, deputy general manager (public relations) of Biman Bangladesh Airline.
Domestic flights resume Wednesday
Flight operations on domestic routes, except for Cox's Bazar, will resume from Wednesday (April 21, 2021) on a 'limited scale' amid the ongoing lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Bangladesh (CAAB), informed UNB about the development and shared three specific reasons for the move.
Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers
He said it was taken to facilitate the communication of expatriate workers across the country, mitigate the loss suffered by the aviation industry and to ease the travel of industry workers as factories are open.
He added that flights must be operated on a limited range in compliance with health regulations.
Also read: CAAB to suspend international flights from Apr 14
On April 3, CAAB decided to suspend flight operations on domestic routes during the lockdown period.
All types of domestic flight operations remained suspended from April 5 since the enforcement of the lockdown.
Read US-Bangla to operate international flights on four routes from Saturday