Public transport to remain suspended till April 28

Despite the government allowing shops and malls to reopen from Sunday amid the strict countrywide lockdown, suspension of public transport will remain in place till April 28.

“We have discussed with Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader about the suspension of public transport. But we have been informed that public transport will remain suspended until April 28, including city and long route buses,” said Khandaker Enayet Ullah, secretary general of Bangladesh Road Transport Owners Association.

“But, public transport will resume after April 28 once strict lockdown is relaxed,” he told the media. 

“It will create chaos if shops and malls are reopened without resuming public transport,” said Khandaker Enayet Ullah.

“Public transport will resume after April 28 as far I know,” said Nur Mohammad Mazumder, chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).

“However, a gazette will be issued before April 28 regarding the new operational procedures for public transport amid the resurgence of Covid-19,” he added.

The shops and malls will remain open from 10am to 5pm every day. Legal action will be taken if hygiene rules are not maintained properly.

A gazette notification in this regard was issued by the Cabinet Division on Friday.

The decision has been taken considering the livelihood of people, said the notice.

Starting from April 7, the country has gone through a soft lockdown and a strict lockdown. Earlier, the government had imposed an 18-point restriction in movement.