5th day of lockdown: Public movement increases on Dhaka roads

Increased traffic and public movement were witnessed on the roads in the capital on Sunday as the ongoing 7-day countrywide lockdown entered the 5th day.

However, according to police officials, most people are leaving their homes in an emergency.

In the city's Shahbag intersection area, private cars were seen running the streets in a higher number.

Many pedestrians alongside the higher volume of rickshaws, motorbikes and bicycles were also observed there.

Despite being one of the most crucial points of intercity communication, the police officials posted at the Shahbag checkpoint were rarely seen questioning the passersby or drivers.

Humayra Begum, a resident of Mirpur came to visit her ailing relative at Dhaka Medical College Hospital without any movement pass.

"If the police had asked, I would let them know about my emergency but the police officials at checkpoints on the way did not do any inquiry today," she said.

Golam Mostafa, an inspector of DMP Ramna Zone said as people have been allowed to move for causes under 18 categories, the number of people gathering on the streets is increasing today. 

"Some are going to work in RMG factories, some are visiting patients and so on. When we interrogate, we see almost all of them fall under one of 18 permitted categories," he told to the media.

Meanwhile, people turned out in huge numbers to submit samples for Covid-19 tests in front of the RT-PCR lab of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) set up at Betar Bhaban.

In the city's Abdullahpur area, a huge number of private cars were seen clogging the flyover.

However, the police officials working at nearby checkpoints claimed most of the private cars and pedestrians came out in emergencies.

"Almost everyone is holding a government provided movement pass. If we find anyone roaming without any reason, we are fining them," said one of the traffic police officials seeking anonymity.

Almost all the important roads in Dhaka city wore an empty look throughout the previous four days. 

The weeklong strict lockdown was imposed from 14 April to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.