lockdown
Bangladesh extends lockdown again as Delta variant plays havoc
The government has extended the current lockdown till August 10 amid a surge in the Delta variant of Covid-19 across the country.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque disclosed the decision of the government while talking to reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday.
Read: Lockdown in Dhaka: Surging infections, soaring chaos
He said shops, factories and offices will be reopened from August 11 while public transport will be allowed to ply roads by rotation on a limited scale once the lockdown is over.
Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam were present at the virtual meeting along with other ministers and state ministers.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque said: “Today’s decision is a provisional one as we’ll take another decision considering the situation.”
The government is set to launch a mass vaccination drive at the village level from 14,000 vaccine centres from August 7 as one crore people will be vaccinated in the next one week, he said.
The minister said the vaccine campaign will be launched simultaneously with a focus on senior people as they face a greater risk of fatalities.
He urged workers and helpers of bus drivers to get their Covid jabs as no one will be allowed to join work without vaccinations. “Once vaccinated, the certificates will be available on the website,” he said.
Regarding cross-checking, he said it will be possible to check whether one took the jab or not, and it can be scrutinised on 7-9 August.
Read:Lockdown: Thousands returning to Dhaka as factories going to reopen Sunday
Lockdown breaches: Police arrest 343 in Dhaka
Police arrested 343 people in Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on the 11th day of the 14-day nationwide lockdown on Monday.
These people were arrested as they failed to show any valid reason for coming out of their homes, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts realised Tk 1,89,800 as fines from 135 people in the capital.
Besides, the Traffic Division collected Tk 8,24,500 as penalties from 366 vehicles for non-compliance of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Bangladesh has been under a fresh lockdown since July 23 last, barring people from leaving their homes except for essential reasons.
But Dhaka witnessed the higher movement of vehicles on the 11th day of the countrywide ‘stringent lockdown’ with the reopening of garment and other export-oriented factories.
The reopening of banks after a three-day closure, including the two-day weekly holiday, also contributed to a steep rise in movement of people and private vehicles, reports a UNB correspondent.
After a reality-check at different parts of the capital, including Uttara, Mohahali, Mirpur, Kalabagan, Biijoy Srani, Badda, Farmgate, Shyamoli, Karwan Bazar and Bangla Motor, the UNB correspondent saw an increase in the number of private cars and CNG-run auto-rickshaws on roads.
During office hours, Dhaka almost returned to its usual chaotic look in these places with long tailbacks at times.
Reimposed at 8 am on July 23, the second round of strict lockdown will be in force till August 5, unless extended further.
The government on Friday (July 30) allowed industry owners to reopen all export-oriented factories from 1 August amid countrywide stringent lockdown.
Lockdown breaches: 303 arrested, Tk 4.4 lakh fined on 10th day
Police arrested 303 people in Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on the 10th day of the 14-day countrywide strict lockdown on Sunday.
The arrestees failed to show any valid reason for coming out on the streets, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk 1,16,100 as fines from 103 people.
Besides, the Traffic Division collected Tk 4,45,500 as penalties from 183 vehicles for failing to comply with coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
As mills and factories reopened on Sunday following the government’s announcement, public transports were seen on the roads till noon carrying workers and staff to the city.
Read: People find 'easy excuses' to defy lockdown in Dhaka
Those who had left the capital for Eid-ul-Azha and did not return due to the closure of factories were seen entering the city on foot amid the lockdown.
Good number of buses and other vehicles were seen around Abdullahpur Tongi Bridge, Ashulia Bridge, Aminbazar Bridge, Gabtoli, Babubazar Bridge and Postogola Bridge.
Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj also saw a huge crowd as people from south western districts were coming back to the capital to join their work.
However, the streets in Dhaka saw a lower number of CNG autorickshaws and private vehicles.
Visiting Gabtoli, Technical Intersection, Kamalapur, Shyamoli, Asadgate, New Market and Mirpur areas and Uttara, Abdullahpur, Banani, Mohakhali, Airport, Satrasta, Kakrail, Matshya Bhaban, the UNB correspondent found few private cars and CNG autorickshaws.
Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues
The number of three-wheeler rickshaws was more than the previous day.
Members of the police, Rab and BGB were seen patrolling the city streets and checking vehicles at check posts in different parts of the capital.
Re-imposed at 8 am on July 23, the current round of strict lockdown will be in force till August 5, unless extended further.
Auto-rickshaw, light vehicles workers getting no lockdown support: BALTWF
Auto-rickshaw and light vehicle drivers have alleged that they are not receiving any financial aid from city corporations or any other administrative office despite the government’s promise to provide them lockdown cash and food support.
In a statement on Saturday, Abul Hossain and Golam Faruk, President and General Secretary of the Bangladesh Auto-Rickshaw Light Vehicle Transport Workers Federation (BALTWF) respectively, said their organisation has submitted the list of affected transport workers to the Relief Ministry, City Corporations and deputy commissioners.
“But we received no response from any administration as yet”, they said adding, it is frequently heard that the government has allocated crores of taka and tons of foods for the affected transport workers in the lockdown.
Also read: Auto-rickshaw workers seek PM’s intervention to overcome their hardships
“All these are reported by newspapers. Where these supports are gone?,” they raised question.
The statement mentioned that the BALTWF have also placed their demands through press conference, meeting and human chain programmes in front of National Press Club. But no one heeded their appeals.
It said the transport workers fear hunger more than coronavirus.
Also read: Auto-rickshaw, light vehicles workers demand food, cash support amid 'lockdown'
The BALTWF leaders urged the government lift the ban on transport movement considering livelihoods emergency of the auto-rickshaw and light vehicles drivers and workers.
Lockdown: Temporary exemption in effect for road, water transport till Sunday noon
The government has allowed the movement of all public transport services till Sunday 12pm to help the export-oriented factory workers and officials to return to their workplaces.
Bus, launch and train services will be operational in all routes across the country during this time.
The development was confirmed by the Press Information Department Saturday amid a strict lockdown which will continue till August 5.
Read: No decision yet on lockdown extension: Farhad
Also, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) "allowed all water transport to operate from Saturday evening to Sunday 12pm to transport factory workers."
The decisions came a day after the government allowed export-oriented factories to restart production from tomorrow amid the ongoing lockdown.
Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues
Despite the suspension of public transports, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka through alternative means on the ninth day of the lockdown Saturday.
A record surge in the number of Covid cases and fatalities in recent days prompted the government to enforce a nationwide stringent lockdown, suspending all outdoor activities unless there is an emergency.
Vessels to move till 12 pm Sunday to carry factory workers
River vessels will be allowed to operate from Saturday evening to Sunday 12 pm to carry factory workers, said the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on Saturday.
To carry the workers of RMG and export-oriented factories, the government has allowed the vessel movement, said a media release issued by the BIWTA in the evening.
The BIWTA requested vessel owners, masters, drivers, staff and passengers to follow health guidelines during the period.
Read: No decision yet on lockdown extension: Farhad
Although public transport movement remained suspended, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka on the 9th day of the lockdown on Saturday following the government’s announcement that mills and factories will reopen on Sunday (Aug 1).
Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj saw a huge crowd as people from south western districts who were coming back to the capital to join their work.
The vessel movement was suspended from July 23, 6 am as the government reimposed a countrywide ‘stricter’ lockdown till August 5, midnight as per a Cabinet Division’s order.
Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues
Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the BIWTA, however, allowed vessels to carry passengers at half of their capacities on condition of maintaining health guidelines from July 14 midnight to 6am on July 23.
A record rise in the number of Covid cases and fatalities in recent days prompted the government to enforce a nationwide stringent lockdown suspending all outdoor activities unless there is any emergency.
Lockdown Breaches: 481 arrested in Dhaka on 9th day
Police arrested 481 people in Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on the 9th day of the 14-day countrywide strict lockdown on Saturday
The arrestees failed to show any valid reason for coming out on the streets, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk 2,06,710 as fines from 202 people.
Besides, the Traffic Division collected Tk 10,45,000 as penalties from 440 vehicles for failing to comply with coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Although public transport movement remained suspended, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka, following the government’s announcement that mills and factories will reopen on Sunday (Aug 1).
Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues
Those who had left the capital for Eid-ul-Azha and did not return due to the closure of factories were seen entering the city on foot amid the lockdown.
Lockdown: Thousands returning to Dhaka as factories going to reopen Sunday
Although public transport movement remained suspended, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka on the 9th day of ‘strict’ lockdown on Saturday following the government’s announcement that mills and factories will reopen on Sunday (Aug 1).
At the entry points of Dhaka, those who had left the capital for Eid-ul-Azha and did not return due to the closure of factories were seen entering the city on foot amid the lockdown.
They were found walking into the capital through Abdullahpur Tongi Bridge, Ashulia Bridge, Aminbazar Bridge, Gabtoli, Babubazar Bridge and Postagola Bridge.
Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj also saw a huge crowd as people from south western districts are coming back to the capital to join their work.
Also read: Breaching Lockdown: 585 arrested, Tk 8.9 lakh realised in fines
However, the streets in Dhaka saw a lower number of private vehicles as Saturday is a public holiday.
Breaching Lockdown: Arrests decline at last on weekly holiday
Police arrested 381 people in Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on the 8th day of the 14-day (unless extended) countrywide lockdown on Friday.
It was the first time in a week that the number dropped below 500, as movement of vehicles and people was comparatively less, presumably for being a holiday.
The arrestees failed to show any valid reason for coming out on the streets, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk 6,7940 as fines from 108 people.
During this time, the Traffic Division collected Tk 817000 as penalties from 321 vehicles for failing to comply with coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Read: Bangladesh records 212 more Covid deaths setting off alarm bells
Although people movements were less inside Dhaka, the scenario was different at the entry points as the UNB correspondents observed huge groups of people entering the capital, maintaining the trend of the last few days.
As the law enforcement agencies are arresting and collecting fimes from people for violating restrictions on one hand, the government has decided to reopen all export-oriented factories from 1 August on the other.
The cabinet division has issued a notification in this regard stating that all export-oriented factories will remain out of the purview of the ongoing lockdown restrictions which is expected to continue till Aug 5, unless extended further.
The decision came today after the business leaders on Thursday requested the government to reopen garment factories and other industries amid the lockdown.
The government reinforced 14-day strict lockdown restrictions following Eid vacation till August 5.
Read: Covid surge in Bangladesh: Primary schools to remain shut until Aug 31
Unlike the all out restrictions before Eid, mills and factories were instructed to remain closed during this time.
There are speculations that the government might extend the lockdown as the Covid infections are at its peak shattering records of highest single day transmissions and deaths every other day.
Lockdown Breaches: 568 arrested in Dhaka on 7th day
Police arrested 568 people in Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on the 7th day of the 14-day countrywide lockdown on Wednesday.
The arrestees failed to show any valid reason for coming out on the streets, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk 3,40,100 as fines from 206 people.
During this time, the Traffic Division collected Tk 9,97,500 as penalties from 431 vehicles for failing to comply with coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Read: People find 'easy excuses' to defy lockdown in Dhaka
However, any amount of fines or deaths recorded due to Covid-19 is apparently not enough to keep people at their home as traffic on the streets of capital Dhaka is increasing with every passing day amid the lockdown.
The number of vehicles and people increased substantially on Dhaka streets on Thursday.
Many people were seen coming out and wandering without any valid reason while health protocols are hardly maintained in most cases.
However, the movement of private vehicles has increased as many private offices have arranged vehicles for the movement of their own staff. But public transport stayed off the roads as per the directives of the government.
Read: Covid in Bangladesh: Daily toll remains above 200; 15,271 more infected
People were seen reaching their destinations by rickshaws as it is available during the lockdown.
Traffic inspector Asaduzzaman, said, “The number of vehicles is increasing day by day. We’re checking every vehicle. Those who failed to justify their outdoor movement are fined and cases lodged for violating lockdown rules.”