lockdown restrictions
Strict lockdown from Friday, again
Upping its guard against the devastating Delta variant of Covid-19, the Bangladesh government on Thursday announced the resumption of the countrywide strict lockdown from July 23.
The restrictions are to come into force at 8am on July 23 and will continue till August 5 midnight, unless extended again.
Read: Bangladesh eases lockdown restrictions ahead of Eid
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, however, told UNB that this lockdown will be stricter than the one imposed last time. Police, the para-military Bangladesh Border Guard and the Army will keep a strict vigil on the roads.
"Offices, courts, garment factories and all other export-oriented industries, everything to be precise, will remain closed. Strict restrictions will remain as before," he said.
Despite industry bodies BGMEA and FBCCI urging the government to keep garment and related industries out of the purview of the Covid lockdown, the Minister said that no decision was taken this month. "We will take a call as per the situation," he added.
Read: Lockdown: Vehicles, public movement increase in capital city on the 6th day
Asked if there were any plans to ease the lockdown for those who went home for Eid, he said, "No, those who went back to their home districts can't return to the city before August 5. We had made it clear earlier too."
On July 13, the government decided to ease the lockdown restrictions in the country for eight days due to Eid-ul-Azha. The lockdown restrictions were lifted a day later.
Lockdown: 320 held for violating lockdown rules on Day 2
Police arrested 320 people from capital Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on Friday.
The arrestees were sued under the DMP Ordinance with different police stations of the capital from Friday morning till 5pm, confirmed Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Iftekhairul Islam.
Also, mobile courts fined 208 people on the second day of "stringent lockdown."
Moreover, 68 vehicles were sued and fined Tk 1,19,900 during this time.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 132 more daily deaths, 8,483 cases
According to the latest information on traffic, a total of 219 cases have been filed and fines of Tk. 5,45,500 for violating lockdown restriction on Friday.
Meanwhile, Army personnel were also seen patrolling the streets of Dhaka, as the government scrambles to bring the Covid-19 situation under control.
Though there were fewer private and commercial vehicles on the main roads as compared to Thursday, rickshaws that provide last-mile connectivity to the residents were seen plying at many places.
Also read: Lockdown: Dhaka dons deserted look on Day 2
Police and Rapid Action Battalion members were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people after setting up check-posts in different areas of the capital on the 2nd day of the lockdown.
Earlier, the law enforcers detained 373 people and arrested 550 people from different areas of the capital till 5pm on Thursday, said police sources.
Bangladesh entered a stringent lockdown, with patrol teams in the streets to convince people to stay home from Thursday.
Nationwide lockdown from Monday, 'all out lockdown’ from July 1
The government will enforce an all out lockdown from July 1 as the country grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases and fatalities with the highly infectious Delta variant playing havoc.
Meanwhile, the country will go into the earlier announced strict lockdown ‘on a limited scale’ from Monday.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal in the chair on Saturday evening.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain confirmed the development to UNB.
“Nationwide lockdown will begin on Monday. However, for zonal closing of bills of the banking sector and various government offices at the end of the month, the maximum restrictions will kick in from July 1," he said.
Details on the lockdown will be known after the government issues a notification on Sunday, the minister added.
However, public transport will be suspended from Monday according to sources attending the meeting.
Alsor read: COVID-19: Daily caseload drops on back of reduced tests, as positivity keeps rising
Export-oriented factories are likely to be exempted from the restrictions, they said.
Earlier on Saturday, sources within Bangladesh Garment Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) confirmed the news to UNB citing a circular issued by the organisation.
People still trying to leave Dhaka defying restrictions, ignoring Covid risks
Many people are still making frantic efforts to leave Dhaka to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr with their families in villages defying a ban on inter-district public transport due to the worsening Covid-19 situation.
Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival of the Muslims, is scheduled to be celebrated across the country later this week. Thousands of people started to leave the city from early in the morning on Sunday.
Witnesses said a large number of people were seen crossing Tongi Bridge from Abdullahpur of Uttara, Amin Bazar Bridge from Gabtoli, Postagola Burigonga bridge of Shympur and Babu Bazar Burigonga Bridge on foot.
The government has imposed lockdown restrictions since April due to an increase in the coronavirus infection. Even though long-distance buses are shut, people are travelling to villages in any way they can.
Also read: BGB deployed on Paturia-Daulatdia, Shimulia-Banglabazar routes
The number of ferries has been reduced at Mawa and Paturia terminals and BGB members have been deployed there to prevent people from crossing the Padma.
Despite the government's effort, people are continuing to rush to northern and southern districts from Dhaka on small vehicles ignoring health risks.
Ferry services were closed during the day.
As lockdown eases, people find their way around restrictions
Although the government in a fresh move extended the ongoing lockdown period from April 28 to May 5, the gradual easing of the lockdown conditions has been accompanied by people in the capital becoming more inclined to move about.
A rapid increase in Covid infections prompted the government to enforce a lockdown from early April which failed to achieve the intended result.
Later, the government went for a strict lockdown from April 11 and extended it to April 28.
Also read: Lockdown to be extended up to May 5: State Minister
On Monday, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said the lockdown would be extended till May 5 as there is no improvement of the Covid-19 situation.
However, shopping malls opened this week and will remain open from 10am to 8pm during the extended period, he said.
Parts of Dhaka presented the old picture of congestion and chaos on Tuesday, even as the country reported 78 more coronavirus-related deaths and 3,031 new cases of Covid-19.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 78 deaths, 3,031 new cases
A UNB photojournalist captured the scenes around the busy Gulistan area on the day.
Strictly maintain health rules during shopping: IGP
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Tuesday urged everyone to wear masks and strictly follow other hygiene rules during Eid shopping to stay safe from coronavirus.
The IGP made the call at a views-exchange meeting on “What to do to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection” with the leaders of the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association in the afternoon.
All police commissioners, range DIGs and district police superintendents were connected online to the meeting held at the Police Headquarters.
Also read: Follow lockdown restrictions: IGP to people
IGP Benazir said both shopkeepers and buyers must wear masks when shopping. Hand sanitiser or hand washing facilities have to be kept at the entrance of the shop or shopping mall.
Besides, body temperature must be checked when entering the shopping mall. Social distancing must be ensured at shops, he said.
The IGP requested traders, shop owners and people to properly follow health guidelines.
"If we abide by the government rules and regulations, the coronavirus infection will be reduced and the death rate will also decline,” he added.
Also read: Motivate people to follow govt’s covid guidelines: IGP to police
Md Helal Uddin, president of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, told the meeting that they have set up hand washing or sanitising facilities in front of each market. Face masks have been made mandatory. Disinfectant tunnels have been installed at big shopping malls.
He said traders across the country are very vocal and vigilant in ensuring health protection against the virus.
Additional IG (A&O) Md Moinur Rahman Chowdhury, Additional IG (Finance) SM Ruhul Amin, Additional IG (HRM) Md Mazharul Islam, DMP Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam along with senior police officers and leaders of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association were present.
Lockdown to be extended up to May 5: State Minister
The government has decided to extend the current lockdown by another week until May 5 as there is no improvement in sight in the Covid-19 situation.
A notification in this regard is expected to be issued on Tuesday, said State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain.
Also read:Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
However, shopping malls will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm during the lockdown, he said.
The decision has been taken considering the global Covid situation and the suggestions of health experts, said the state minister.
160 million knocks for movement pass in 46 hours
The movement pass app launched by Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to facilitate emergency travel during the 8-day strict lockdown has received almost 160 million knocks/hits within just 46 hours.
Police have already issued around 316,801 passes so far.
Also read:Lockdown: 60000 people register for movement pass
Sources at the Police Headquarters have confirmed the matter to UNB.
Follow lockdown restrictions: IGP to people
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed on Tuesday urged people to strictly follow the lockdown restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“We don’t want to see anyone on the roads and outside home except for emergency needs from April 14. Please follow the government rules spontaneously and we won’t be rude with anyone,” said the IGP while talking to reporters after inaugurating police movement pass apps in the city.
“We’ve to control the second wave of Covid-19 as we did last year, and for this we’ve to refrain from unnecessary movement. Last year, several thousand people had left Dhaka and now many people are leaving it for the last two days, which is unwise,” he said.
Benazir also urged people living in villages to stay home for the next seven days and follow the government’s directives to stem the spread of Covid-19.
Also read: Motivate people to follow govt's covid guidelines: IGP to police
Those who want to go outside should take the movement pass and return home as soon as possible, the IGP added.
He also emphasised the need for face-covering, social distancing, handwashing and raising public awareness to contain the virus spread.
“Already, 5,000 applications for movement pass have been submitted in just one hour and if anyone wants to go outside Dhaka, he or she will require to have the pass,” the police chief added.
There is no scope to allow more than one pass for one person.
Those eligible for movement pass
According to the Police Headquarters, the movement pass will be required to go out during lockdown in the case of emergency or official work such as getting Covid-19 vaccine jab, shopping from grocery shops, kitchen markets and medicine shops; having medical services, joining agricultural works, goods transportation, supply, relief materials supply, burial or cremation activities and other things under other categories.
Also read: Police to issue movement pass during lockdown
People can apply for a pass through movementpass.police.gov.bd from Wednesday (April 14) night. Conditional permission will be granted for a specified period of time.
How to apply for movement pass
One needs to visit this link, movementpass.police.gov.bd, and put his or her mobile phone number to have a one-time password in the mobile phone to go through the process to get the movement pass.
Necessary information
People should enter their names, gender, age, reasons for movement, scheduled date and time for movement, NID card, information about vehicles and image.
However, all are not allowed to have the movement pass. Only those who have emergency reasons for movement can apply for it.
The government is going to enforce a nationwide strict lockdown on Wednesday to curb the Coronavirus transmission. As the coronavirus situation is getting worse day by day.
On Monday, Bangladesh saw the highest number of daily deaths of 83 from Covid-19.