The people of megacity Dhaka seem to have overcome the inhibition or fear of coronavirus pandemic, judging from their callous attitude to social distancing.

The Local Government Division (LGD) on Monday sent a coordinated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to all city corporations for implementing ‘Red Zone’.

The government on Tuesday announced general holidays for the red zones in three more districts considering high-risk of coronavirus infection.

The government on Sunday announced general holidays in some areas that were marked as ‘red zone’ by the health authorities in 10 districts, due to high coronavirus infection risk.

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday approved general holidays for all the employees and staffs who reside in red zone areas amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Banks will remain closed in ‘Red Zone’ areas where lockdown will be enforced to contain the spread of coronavirus.   A circular of Bangladesh Bank said, the banks will generally keep their operation off in the Red Zone areas to be declared by the Health Directorate or city corporation or district administration.   “But if there is any separate instruction from the authorities concerned, they can operate limited transaction from 10 am to 12:30 pm and keep open the branches until 1:30 pm to do their own activities”, said the circular issued on Monday night.   It said that the new decision was taken against the backdrop of the Health Directorate’s “Bangladesh Risk Zone- Based COVID-19 Containment implementation Strategy/Guide” declaration.

Although 10 areas were identified as ‘Red Zones’ in the port city of Chattogram, the local administration put Uttar Kattali in Ward-10 under complete lockdown for the next 21 days early Tuesday.    Mohammad Samsuddoha, chief executive officer, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), said, “The other red zones will be brought under lockdown gradually.”   CCC Coronavirus prevention committee members said the committee took the decision after consulting with the government officials concerned.   All the red zones will be brought under lockdown, they said adding that the decision was taken on June 14.   Red Zones in Chattogram   The government on Sunday announced 11 areas as red zones in Chattogram-- Chittagong port, (Ward-38), Patenga (Ward-39), Chittagong Port (Ward-39), Pahartali (ward-10), Kotwali (ward 16), Khulshi (Ward 14), Kotwali (Ward 20), Kotwali (Ward-21), Halishohor (Ward-26), Chittagong Port (Ward -37) and Kotwali (Ward -22).   CCC Executive Officer Mohammad Samsuddoha said the exit and entry from and to the lockdown areas will be restricted strictly.   The necessary goods, medicines will be reached to people at home during the lockdown, he said adding that the central control room on behalf of City Corporation will supervise the activities.