As the week-long corona-induced lockdown entered its third straight day Saturday, the number of both people and vehicles taking to the streets increased a bit compared to the first two days. However, police, rab, and army personnel, deployed to enforce the strict restrictions, were seen even more active in checking movement of people and vehicles. 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.” He said authorities lodged a number of cases over the violations of the curbs. READ: Covid-19 burials: Quantum volunteers working through this lockdown too                            DMP Additional DC (media) Iftekharul Islam said 184 people have been detained until Saturday noon, while Tk 50,640 fined for flouting lockdown rules. 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. Law enforcers – rab, police and army – were seen patrolling the roads to keep people and vehicles off unless they can prove any emergency.       They set up check-posts in different areas of the capital including Mirpur Road, Mohakhali, Uttara, Airport Road, Farm Gate. Kitchen markets in the city remained open, with the government allowing them to operate from 8am to 5pm. However, public transport  stayed off the roads as per the government directives. A number of shops were also seen open in different alleys. READ: Lockdown: 320 held for violating lockdown rules on Day 2   Lockdown rules All the government, non-government, autonomous and private offices will remain closed till July 7. All modes of public transport, including those of road, river, railway and air, will remain suspended during the lockdown. All the shopping malls and markets in the country will also remain closed. All the tourist spots, resorts and community centres will remain closed while all kinds of public gatherings, including social events, birthday and picnic parties, and political and religious programmes, will also remain suspended until further notice. The offices, staff and vehicles of the organisations providing emergency services, including law enforcement, agricultural products (fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, machinery), crops, food-laden vehicles, relief distribution, health services, health workers involved in mass inoculation, power, water, gas, fire services, port activities, media (print and electronic media), telephone, private security services, and bank, pharmacy and postal services will remain out of the purview of the lockdown restrictions, and their staff and employees can move showing ID cards. However, the restrictions will not be applicable for carrying goods, emergency services and production. The offices related to air, maritime and river and land ports will remain out of the preview of the lockdown. Industries and factories will remain open subject to maintaining health protocols. Kitchen markets and shops selling daily essentials will remain open from 9 am to 5 pm, and customers can purchase their goods following health safety protocols. Local administrations and the authorities concerned will ensure the same. No one will be allowed to venture out except for certain emergency needs (to purchase medicines, daily essentials, to take medical services and burial/cremation of bodies, taking Covid-19 jabs etc). Legal action will be taken against those who would violate the restrictions. READ: Lockdown: Dhaka dons deserted look on Day 2    Hotels and restaurants can operate from 8 am to 8 pm with takeaway/online services only. Those who need to take vaccines can move after showing vaccine cards.

Pope Francis canceled official engagements for the third day in a row Saturday as he battled an apparent cold.

Police banned public gatherings in parts of the Indian capital and other cities for a third day Friday and cut internet services to try to stop growing protests against a new citizenship law that have so far left eight people dead and more than 1,200 others detained.