lockdown
Lockdown: Vehicles, public movement increase in capital city on the 6th day
The number of vehicles and people increased on the city streets on Tuesday, the sixth day of the 14-day strict lockdown, defying government’s directives to stay home amid an alarming surge in Covid-19 pandemic, police said.
Even though movement of people was relatively low on the main roads, crowds gathered in the alleyways and kitchen markets, many of them disregarding the health rules of wearing masks and maintaining physical distance.
However, police, Rab, and army personnel, deployed to enforce the strict restrictions, were seen checking movement of people and vehicles in different points of the city including Mirpur Technical intersection and Kalabagan areas.
Read:Fifth day of lockdown: More people, vehicles on roads, 509 arrested
Traffic Inspector Asaduzzaman (Mohakhali), said “The number of vehicles is higher than Monday as many offices dealing with emergency services remained open.”
A number of people have been detained by law enforcers today as they failed to show valid reasons. Besides, more cases were also filed for flouting lockdown curbs.
A record rise in the number of Covid cases and fatalities in recent days prompted the government to go for the tough measure.
Fifth day of lockdown: More people, vehicles on roads, 509 arrested
As the now-extended strict lockdown rolled into its 5th straight day with banks opening on Monday, the city saw more people on the streets compared to the first four days.
However, police, Rab, and army personnel, deployed to enforce the strict restrictions, were seen checking movement of people and vehicles in different points of the city.
Traffic Inspector Asaduzzaman (Mohakhali), said “The number of vehicles is higher than the last four days as banks are open today after staying closed for the last three days.”
Also read: Lockdown breaches: 509 arrested, 526 vehicles fined Tk12.23 lakh in Dhaka
“However, we are not allowing anyone to pass through check posts who fail to show any valid reasons for movement,” he said
Lockdown breaches: 509 arrested, 526 vehicles fined Tk12.23 lakh in Dhaka
The authorities Monday, the fifth day of seven-day strict lockdown, arrested 509 people and fined 526 vehicles in the capital for Covid lockdown breaches.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) rounded up 509 people from the streets for violating restrictions, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk157,600 as fines from 287 people for breaching the lockdown rules.
READ: ‘All-out’ lockdown extended by another week
During this time, the Traffic Division collected Tk1,223,300 as penalties from vehicles for failing to comply with coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Bangladesh entered a seven-day lockdown, from July 1, to tackle the rising tide of Covid-19 infections and fatalities.
The country Monday extended the ongoing stringent lockdown to July 14 midnight.
READ: Lockdown: Satkania UNO made OSD for fining a doctor on emergency call
Atiqul warns of legal action if shops are kept open
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam on Monday warned that legal action including revoking of liscence will be taken if anyone keeps shop open violating the government directives.
“The shopping mall and shop owners should abide by the government instructions,” said the DNCC mayor while visiting Bijoy Sarani area of the capital.
The DNCC has taken various welfare activities during the Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
Also read: ‘All-out’ lockdown extended by another week
The emergency food service of the government is active and destitute people can seek food assistance by making a call @ 333, said the mayor.
“We have to follow the health guidelines to make our family, city and country safe,” said Atikul.
Besides, he also assured of taking necessary steps to activate the fountains under DNCC in the city.
Also read: Lockdown: 496 vehicles fined Tk 12.8 lakh in Dhaka; 618 arrested
Moreover, DNCC dwellers can log complaints or provide their opinions about roads, mosquitoes, street lamp, dumping station, waterlogging, public toilet and illegal establishment by an app named ‘Shobar Dhaka’ to get quick solution to the problems, he said.
Lockdown: Satkania UNO made OSD for fining a doctor on emergency call
Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Chattogram’s Satkania has been made an officer on special duty (OSD) after he fined a doctor who was going to see a patient during the lockdown.
On Sunday, UNO Nazrul Islam was made OSD to the Ministry of Public Administration over the order of KM Al-Amin, deputy secretary of the ministry.
Earlier on Friday, UNO Nazrul Islam imposed a fine of Tk 1,000 on Dr. Farhad Kabir who was on his way to his private chamber to check an emergency patient.
Also read: Lockdown: 496 vehicles fined Tk 12.8 lakh in Dhaka; 618 arrested
At that time, the UNO also threatened to jail the doctor.
Later the doctor made a Facebook post over the issue.
As the issue came up in a number of newspapers, the Bangladesh Medical Association leaders demanded the intervention of the civil surgeon on the allegation of harassing the doctors.
Also read: Lockdown: Mobile courts collect fines of Tk 76,300 in Sylhet, 1 held
Later, UNO Nazrul Islam of Satkania was made OSD.
However, Nazrul denied the allegations when contacted.
Lockdown: Police arrest 621 for violations on Dhaka streets
Police arrested 621 people for being on the streets in capital Dhaka in violation of a strictly-enforced lockdown on its third day Saturday.
The arrestees were picked up while roaming in different parts of the city, said Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Iftekhairul Islam.
He also said that Tk 19,22,350 was collected in penalties from vehicles across the capital under the Road Transport Act.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 100+ daily deaths for one week
However, the officer did not provide any information on the total number of vehicles sued.
Besides, mobile courts slapped fines on 346 people collecting an amount of Tk 106450.
Despite a vigilant position by the law enforcers, the number of both people and vehicles taking to the streets increased a bit on the third day of lockdown.
Also read: Lockdown: Third day sees more people, vehicles on roads, 184 detained
Traffic Inspector Akter Hossain (Rajlaxmi Uttara), said “The number of vehicles is higher than the last two days but we are also active and allowing only those who have valid reasons to come out.”
The government imposed a seven-day lockdown from July 1 to contain a surge of Covid-19 infections across the country. It will continue until July 7 midnight.
Banks to remain closed on Sunday during lockdown
Banks will remain closed on Sunday also as per new instructions of the Bangladesh Bank following the countrywide strict lockdown that began on Thursday, July 1.A circular of the Bangladesh Bank, issued on June 30, said the banks will remain closed also on Sunday in addition to Friday, Saturday weekends during the lockdown until July 7.Banks will conduct transactions from 10 am to 1:30 pm during the 7-day restrictions.
Also read: Banks to transact from 10 am to 3 pm from until June 16
However, they can operate until 3:30 pm for conducting their other office activities. The new schedule comes into effect from July 4 (Sunday).The normal transaction hours of banks are from 10 am to 4pm.During this period, the head offices of banks will remain open while state-owned banks will keep open one branch at district level and one branch at upazila level while private banks will keep open one branch at district level and maximum two branches outside the district level with limited manpower.The bank authorities will take measures to provide transportation support to their staff in consultation with the local administration. The banks will keep open their principal and authorized dealer (AD) branches with required staff while internet banking service will continue for 24 hours.
Also read: Banks can open during local lockdown, says central bankThey have to ensure operation of ATM booths to facilitate transactions through cards by supplying adequate cash in the machines while the evening banking and weekly holiday banking activities will remain suspended until further order, said the circular issued on April 13.
Lockdown: Third day sees more people, vehicles on roads, 184 detained
As the week-long corona-induced lockdown entered its third straight day Saturday, the number of both people and vehicles taking to the streets increased a bit compared to the first two days.
However, police, rab, and army personnel, deployed to enforce the strict restrictions, were seen even more active in checking movement of people and vehicles.
Traffic Inspector Akter Hossain (Rajlaxmi Uttara), said “The number of vehicles is higher than the last two days but we are also active and allowing only those who have valid reasons to come out.”
He said authorities lodged a number of cases over the violations of the curbs.
READ: Covid-19 burials: Quantum volunteers working through this lockdown too DMP Additional DC (media) Iftekharul Islam said 184 people have been detained until Saturday noon, while Tk 50,640 fined for flouting lockdown rules.
The government imposed a seven-day lockdown from July 1 to contain a surge of Covid-19 infections across the country. It will continue until July 7 midnight.
Law enforcers – rab, police and army – were seen patrolling the roads to keep people and vehicles off unless they can prove any emergency.
They set up check-posts in different areas of the capital including Mirpur Road, Mohakhali, Uttara, Airport Road, Farm Gate.
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.
READ: Lockdown: 320 held for violating lockdown rules on Day 2
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 organisations 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 9 am to 5 pm, 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.
READ: Lockdown: Dhaka dons deserted look on Day 2
Hotels and restaurants can operate from 8 am to 8 pm with takeaway/online services only. Those who need to take vaccines can move after showing vaccine cards.
Lockdown: 320 held for violating lockdown rules on Day 2
Police arrested 320 people from capital Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on Friday.
The arrestees were sued under the DMP Ordinance with different police stations of the capital from Friday morning till 5pm, confirmed Additional Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Iftekhairul Islam.
Also, mobile courts fined 208 people on the second day of "stringent lockdown."
Moreover, 68 vehicles were sued and fined Tk 1,19,900 during this time.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 132 more daily deaths, 8,483 cases
According to the latest information on traffic, a total of 219 cases have been filed and fines of Tk. 5,45,500 for violating lockdown restriction on Friday.
Meanwhile, Army personnel were also seen patrolling the streets of Dhaka, as the government scrambles to bring the Covid-19 situation under control.
Though there were fewer private and commercial vehicles on the main roads as compared to Thursday, rickshaws that provide last-mile connectivity to the residents were seen plying at many places.
Also read: Lockdown: Dhaka dons deserted look on Day 2
Police and Rapid Action Battalion members were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people after setting up check-posts in different areas of the capital on the 2nd day of the lockdown.
Earlier, the law enforcers detained 373 people and arrested 550 people from different areas of the capital till 5pm on Thursday, said police sources.
Bangladesh entered a stringent lockdown, with patrol teams in the streets to convince people to stay home from Thursday.
Lockdown: Dhaka dons deserted look on Day 2
The capital wore a deserted look on Friday -- the second day of the stricter lockdown imposed by the government in Bangladesh to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The success of the lockdown can well be attributed to the sincere efforts of law enforcement agencies in convincing the residents to stay off the roads, morning rains and Friday, a government holiday.
The stricter lockdown, which came into effect on Thursday morning, will continue till July 7 midnight.
“On the one hand, it’s a Friday and also raining since morning, hence fewer vehicles are seen on the roads. On the other hand, we are letting vehicles go only after thorough enquiries at posts," said traffic inspector Asaduzzaman (Mohakhali).
Read:Lockdown: Police arrest 550 for violations on Dhaka streets
“Cases are being filed against anyone caught stepping out of their homes without any valid reason,” he added.
Meanwhile, Army personnel were also seen patrolling the streets of Dhaka, as the government scrambles to bring the Covid-19 situation under control.
Though there were fewer private and commercial vehicles on the main roads as compared to Thursday, rickshaws that provide last-mile connectivity to the residents were seen plying at many places.