Health rules flouted in Cox's Bazar despite the pandemic

Competing with the developed countries of the world, the government has acquired Covid-19 vaccines for the people of the country. Attempts are being made to protect everyone from the deadly virus by vaccinating them. Like all over the country, vaccination drive is also going on in Cox's Bazar district.

About 70,000 people in the district have been vaccinated against coronavirus so far, officials said. 

However, people are flouting health safety measures all over Cox’s Bazar, the first red-zone marked in the country. Analysts fear that this could increase the risk of re-infection in Cox's Bazar, a popular tourist destination for millions of tourists

It goes without saying that the administration is worried about the situation and talking about various steps in this regard.

It has been seen that more than one lakh people are coming to Cox's Bazar beach every day including tourists and locals. The number of tourists is doubling on Fridays and Saturdays. No one has a face mask except for a handful of tourists. Thousands of tourists are flocking to the same place without following social distancing. Tourists visiting the beach without masks are making various excuses to wear masks.

On the other hand, hotels, motels, and restaurants in Cox's Bazar are not as strict as before. The same situation can be seen in all other tourist spots of the district.

Md. Ashraful, who traveled from Dhaka’s Malibagh to Cox's Bazar, said that when he wears a mask, he feels like a robber. Mentioning that he had been wearing a mask for a long time, he said that he did not want to wear it anymore.

Abu Noman, who came to his family from Sylhet, said that it is important to wear a mask, but it is not possible to enjoy wearing a mask while traveling, it also looks bad in the picture.

Faria Akhter, from Dhaka Mirpur, said it was embarrassing for girls to wear masks. Therefore, wearing a mask destroys makeup and lipstick. He said that in order to survive Coronavirus, he adheres to everything except the mask. Many tourist women have made similar comments.

Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital Assistant Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine Infectious Diseases Specialist Dr Mohammad Shahjahan Nazir said there are 3.5 million people in the district, including Rohingyas. So far, 80,000 people have been vaccinated. And the vaccine is working to prevent 85%. It has been found that 25% of people do not have the vaccine.

He said Coronavirus had been wreaking havoc in the country for three consecutive months from March to May last year. It seems that the incidence of virus infection may increase in the same period again. So everyone has to be careful. In case of obeying the health rules, one has to go back to following the basic guidelines, including wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

He warned that if the situation continues like this everywhere in the very risky Cox's Bazar, it might turn into a terrible situation.

Anwar Hossain, the manager of a private hospital in Cox's Bazar who volunteered to treat more than 200 Corona patients, said that if this continues, the situation could be dire. 

Cox's Bazar Zone Police Superintendent of Tourist Police, Zillur Rahman said that besides the safety of the tourists coming to Cox's Bazar, various steps are being taken to ensure compliance with health safety guidelines. These activities will be intensified in the future. He said that everyone should be conscious.

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner. Mamunur Rashid said that in order to prevent a fresh surge of coronavirus infections among tourists coming to Cox's Bazar, they are trying to raise awareness through miking and mobile courts are being conducted to ensure to prevent harassment of tourists.