People’s presence increased on city streets on third day

The number of people’s presence at different city streets is a bit more on Saturday morning, the third day of strict restrictions the government enforced to contain the spread of novel coronavirus disease. People in the capital are still leaving their houses without any reason despite the strict lockdown.

A higher number of rickshaw and car has been seen at Shyamoli, Kolabaghan, Panthapath, Dhanmondi, Banglamotor, Farmget, Khilgaon and Moghbazar areas of the capital city than the previous two days. On the third day of the lockdown, law enforcement agencies showed a slightly relaxed position than the previous two days. 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.

Presence of people was relatively higher in Karwan Bazar and Hatirpool areas as well. Law enforcement agencies have set up check posts at different places including Khilgaon, Banglamotor and SAARC Fountain. Barricades have been put up on the streets. Gathering of people was seen in different lanes of localities than the main roads in the city.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) sources, 621 people were arrested on Saturday from the streets in different areas of Dhaka while 346 were fined over Tk 1 lakh for violating restrictions.

DMP fined a number of vehicle owners worth Tk 19 lakh under the Road Transport Act for bringing out their vehicles during the lockdown. Besides, Chattogram police arrested 17 people for violating lockdown instructions. 

Hafiz Al Faruk, the additional deputy commissioner of DMP’s Tejgaon division, told the media, “We are patrolling the city streets to enforce the lockdown. 152 people were arrested in our division for violating lockdown rules.”

Meanwhile, Rapid Action Battalion’s Legal and Media Wing Director Khandaker Al Moin said, “RAB is conducting drives in different neighbourhoods of the capital as many people are wandering on streets without any reason. Most of them are not even wearing masks.”

He said we are taking legal action against the lockdown violators.

According to DMP sources, on Friday, 320 persons were detained in the capital for violating lockdown rules. Among them, 208 people were punished by mobile court. On the first day of lockdown, on Thursday, 941 persons were detained. Among them, 550 were arrested in cases for violating lockdown rules.

On Chattogram, 17 people who violated lockdown rules were arrested on Saturday. On the third day of lockdown, public movement increased in the port city. More rickshaws and private vehicles, compared to the previous two days, were seen plying on the streets.

Earlier, a week ago, the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 recommended that a 14-day strict shutdown be imposed across the country considering the worsening Covid-19 situation.

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 organizations 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 9am to 5pm, 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. Hotels and restaurants can operate from 8am to 8pm with takeaway/online services only. Those who need to take vaccines can move after showing vaccine cards.