Covid surge
Covid surge in Bangladesh: Experts say lockdown likely to pay off
Experts think that the ongoing lockdown in Bangladesh appears to be paying off as both the active coronavirus cases and death toll have marked a sharp fall over the last few days in the country.
They, however, fear that the benefits might be short-lived ones as the government has allowed shopping malls to reopen and is thinking of resuming public transport services soon though the virus is yet to come under control.
The analysts warned that the Covid situation is likely to worsen again with the hordes of shoppers and holidaymakers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the largest religious festivals of Muslims to be celebrated in the middle of this month.
They advised the government to announce a stimulus package for the transport workers instead of resuming transport service, enforce the law to make people to wear masks and maintain health safety rules and increase vigilance along the border to check any possible trespassing or illegal entry to Bangladesh from India to maintain the improved trend in the Covid situation.
The government imposed a complete countrywide lockdown on April 14 for a week to tackle the worsening Covid situation, and later it was extended up to May 5. But the government gave permission for reopening shops and malls across the country from April 25 amid lockdown.
Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Saturday the government is considering the resumption of public transport services in the country ahead of Eid.
Bangladesh’s health authorities reported 69 more deaths and 1,359 new cases in 24 hours until Sunday morning.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh logs 69 more deaths, 1,359 new cases
The virus infection rate that increased to 23 percent early last month has now dropped to 9.60 percent on Sunday.
Lockdown proves to be effective
Dr Be-Nazir Ahmed, former director (disease control) of the DGHS, said the fall in the number of Covid cases and deaths has manifested that the ongoing lockdown has proved to be good.
“As the offices and mass transport service remains shut, people’s movement has declined, contributing to reducing the virus transmission,” he said
More people, vehicles on Dhaka roads in defiance of lockdown rules
Despite an alarming spike in Covid-19 deaths in Bangladesh, people continue to defy restrictions on movement as a higher number of people and vehicles were seen on the streets in Dhaka on the 5th day of lockdown enforced by the government from April 14 to contain the spread of the virus.
No public transport is available on the roads but the number of private vehicles, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are higher than the previous days as garment factories, banks and organizations providing emergency services resume operations after weekly holidays.
Rickshaws are dominating the roads as the movement of people has increased remarkably.
Police are seen checking people’s movement pass at different points and allowing those to go who have valid reasons for going out.
Members of the law enforcement agencies are seen putting up barricades at different parts of the capital for checking people with body-worn camera uniforms which can record any untoward incident.
Also read: Lockdown day 3: Dhaka streets largely deserted
Meanwhile, pressure of vehicles was seen on Uttara-Banani-Mohakhali road where in some places police were seen controlling traffic which was absent in the last four days.
Joint Commissioner Traffic (North) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Abu Raihan MD Saleh said, “Movement of public transport remained suspended and the law enforcing agencies are continuing regular activities at check-posts. People are seen passing with movement pass.In some cases, people have been facing fines or cases while failing to show any valid reason for leaving home.”
Though shopping malls and shops on main roads remained closed, some grocery stores in residential areas were allowed to operate for a few hours in the morning to enable people to buy their daily essentials.
Also read: Lockdown: Many in Dhaka ignore restrictions in open defiance
A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for a 8-day complete lockdown from April 14. On Saturday the country recorded 101 deaths for the second consecutive day and 3473 new cases.
The complete lockdown will continue till April 21 midnight.
Lockdown instructions
During the lockdown, all government, semi-government, autonomous, private offices and financial institutions will remain closed.
All modes of public transport, including those of road, river, railway and air, will remain suspended.
However, the restrictions will not apply to emergency services. Industries and factories have also been allowed to operate but on condition of maintaining health protocols.
The offices, staffers and vehicles of the organisations providing emergency services, including law enforcement, agricultural products (fertilisers, seeds, pesticides, machinaries), crops, relief distribution, health services, power, water, gas, fire services, port activities, media (print and electronic media) and postal services, have been kept out of the purview of the restrictions.
People’s movement will be restricted and no one will be allowed to go outside except for emergency needs (to purchase medicines, daily essentials, to take medical services and burial/ cremation of bodies, taking Covid-19 jabs etc).
Hotels and restaurants can operate with takeaway/online services only from 12 pm to 7 pm and from 12 am to 6 am.
The government imposed a 'loose' nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain the spike in both coronavirus infections and fatalities.
But the government allowed the resumption of public transport in city corporation areas from April 7 as well as reopening shops and shopping malls for five days from April 9 in the face of protests against the lockdown.
BNP for 'all-party committee' to stop Covid surge
BNP on Friday proposed the formation of an 'all-party committee' to involve people for containing the second wave of coronavirus in Bangladesh.
"We think there’s still time to form an all-party committee to get rid of the coronavirus problem. One thing we want to emphasise that it's not possible to overcome a huge challenge like Covid without the involvement of people,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Speaking at a virtual press conference, he said it is necessary to involve the people of all walks of life, political parties, different organisations and individuals to tackle a pandemic like coronavirus.
The BNP leader said effective campaigns should be launched to make people aware of the situation and the deadly virus. “People need to be given an idea of the severity of the disease to get their cooperation in the fight against it. Let's save people and the country with united efforts based on a national consensus.”
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 7000+ cases for fifth day
He said a strategy should be worked out to protect people's both lives and livelihoods. “We call upon the government to provide adequate incentives to entrepreneurs of the informal sector.”
Besides, Fakhrul said, those who are working in the informal sector, including the employees of shops and small factories, should be given allowances as long as the problem persists, especially when there is a lockdown.
He also urged the government to carry out relief activities to mitigate the sufferings of the destitute and day-labourers.
The BNP leader demanded the government take effective steps to ensure vaccine for the majority population of the country and thus attain herd immunity to eliminate the Coronavirus.
Also read: Covid situation getting out of hand: BNP
"We’ve learned from experts that if Bangladesh wants to attain hard immunity, at least 125 million people must be vaccinated and health rules must be followed. But the government still couldn't manage the required number of vaccine doses,” he said.
He appreciated the government’s reported move to import vaccines from China and Russia. “Why didn’t you do this earlier?”
Fakhrul called upon the government to work out a roadmap to collect vaccines for at least 12.5 crore people and properly distribute those in a bid to attain herd immunity.
Besides, he urged the government to take steps for ensuring healthcare facilities, enhancing testing capacities and increasing ICU beds for the coronavirus infected people.
Also read: Lockdown unproductive due to mismanagement: BNP
As the government is planning to enforce a full lockdown from April 14, he said the government should have a strategy to implement it by taking necessary steps to reduce public sufferings during Ramadan.
Fakhrul called upon their party’s all units to stand by the corona infected and poor people affected by the lockdown.
Fakhrul said their party’s around 400 leaders and activists have so far died of coronavirus while over 5,000 were infected with the virus.
Leaving before Lockdown
A large number of homebound people were seen gathering at railway station and bus terminals as the government announced 7-day countrywide lockdown from Monday.
Commuters fearing suspension of public transport crowding at the bus and launch terminals amid the risk of Coronavirus transmission.
Excessive pressure transports was seen on the highway causing long tailbacks.
Bangladesh set to enforce nationwide lockdown Monday amid Covid surge
The government is set to impose a nationwide lockdown for a week from Monday morning as part of its tougher move to slow down the rapid spike in both coronavirus infection and mortality rates.
The main objective of the lockdown is to control unnecessary public movements and gatherings with stronger monitoring by the members of law enforcement agencies and thus contain the virus transmission.
It will be the first official lockdown in Bangladesh to tackle the deadly coronavirus. On March 26 last year, the government had declared general holidays along with a transport shutdown instead of enforcing lockdown as the country was witnessing the surge in coronavirus transmission.
As the country has been experiencing record-breaking Covid cases for the past few days, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday announced to impose a weeklong countrywide lockdown.
Most offices and factories will remain open during the period, but the employees will work in shifts maintaining health safety rules and government guidelines.
Also read: Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge
Earlier, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued an 18-point directive on March 29 to prevent the transmission of the virus.
Restrictions on movement/activities
The Cabinet Division on Sunday issued a gazette notification imposing restrictions on the movement of people and other activities for seven days in a bid to improve the situation and enforce the lockdown.
The gazette will remain effective from 6 am on April 5 till 12 am on April 11.
According to the gazette, all modes of public transport (road, river, rail and domestic flights) will remain suspended during the period.
Govt-backed syndicate behind price hike of essentials: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday voiced deep worries over the growing price hike of essentials and alleged that a government-backed syndicate is behind it.
"We’re very worried that the prices of essential commodities, including rice, pulses and salt, have already gone up ahead of the Ramadan,” he said at a virtual press conference.
The BNP leader said, “The government has failed to control the market as it’s involved with the syndicate that raises prices. The government-backed people have made the syndicate for increasing the prices.”
Also read: Prices in kitchen markets on the up ahead of Ramadan
Fakhrul alleged that BNP leaders and activists are being arrested and implicated in cases as part of a ruling party plot to eliminate the party and thwart its ongoing movement.
He also presented statistics on the filing of cases in different places against BNP leaders and activists over the last few days.
The BNP leader criticised the government for arresting their party executive committee member advocate Nipun Roy charge of involvement in the recent violence.
“Nipun Roy is a working lawyer, an active human rights activist and a conscious politician. She can’t have any involvement in any terrorist activities. It's a completely conspiratorial and fabricated and false charge,” Fakhrul said.
Also read: BNP leader Nipun Roy arrested in city
He demanded the withdrawal of the case filed against opposition leaders and activists and the release of those arrested.
He alleged that the government has failed to raise awareness among people to encourage them to maintain health safety rules to contain the surge in coronavirus infection.
The BNP leader said though the ruling party leaders are keeping themselves protected from the deadly virus staying at their homes, they are pushing the common people to get out of their houses.
Covid surge: All elections slated for Apr 11 postponed
The Election Commission (EC) has postponed all elections scheduled for April 11 amid a massive surge in Covid-19 cases in recent days.
“Considering the overall coronavirus situation, the Commission has postponed the Laxmipur-2 by-polls, first phase election to 371 Union Parishads and the sixth phase election to 11 municipalities, which were all scheduled slated for April 11,” EC’s Additional Secretary Ashok Kumar Debnath told reporters.
The decision came from a meeting in the afternoon at the Nirbachan Bhaban with Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda in the chair.
Bangladesh has been recording more than 5,000 cases per day since Monday. On Thursday, the health authorities confirmed 6,469 cases, the highest-ever daily case count since the first ones were announced on March 20 last year.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records highest-ever daily cases, 59 deaths
Debnath said these elections would not be held until the covid situation improves. The parliamentary by-polls and elections to the local bodies would be held from the stage where they were postponed, he added.
He said the candidates will have to keep their campaign suspended until the fresh date is announced for balloting.
EC announced schedules for these elections on March 11.
The deadline for submission of nomination was March 18. The nomination papers were scrutinised on March 19 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature was March 24.
The countrywide Union Parishad elections were supposed to kick off with polls to 371 at 64 upazilas of 19 districts.
Meanwhile, the EC announced the sixth phase municipal election to 11 bodies. It has already held elections to some 230 municipalities in the first five phases between December 28 and February 28 last.
The Laxmipur-2 constituency fell vacant on January 28 after independent MP Mohammad Shahid Islam alias Kazi Papul was convicted by a Kuwait court for criminal offenses.
Covid surge: Tourist spots in Sylhet closed for 2 weeks
All tourist spots in Sylhet district have been shut down for the next two weeks to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus, officials said Thursday.
The directive has come from the local administration in the wake of the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh.
Also Read: Sylhet Tourist Places – Where to Go and What to Do
Mohammad Altaf Hossain, superintendent of Tourist Police Sylhet Region, told UNB that all hotels, motels, resorts and tourist spots will remain shut for two weeks as per a government order.
He also urged people to wear face masks and follow other health protocols.
On March 18 last year, all tourist spots in the district were shut down to contain the spread of Covid-19 cases. The restrictions were revoked on September 9, subject to 25 conditions.
Government 18-point directives
In the wake of the fresh surge in the Covid-19 infections, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), on March 29, issued an 18-point directive for the next two weeks in an effort to restrict the spread of the coronavirus in Bangladesh.
The directives have taken immediate effect throughout the country and will remain in force for two weeks until further order, according to a notification signed by Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus.
All the ministries, divisions and agencies concerned have been asked to take necessary measures to implement the directives.
Covid-19 situation in Bangladesh
Bangladesh recorded 52 coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours till Wednesday, the highest single-day death toll since the pandemic hit the country.
Besides, the country’s health authorities recorded over 5,000 fresh cases for the third straight day.
The latest figures showed 5,358 new cases in a 24-hour period until morning, which pushed up the caseload to 611,295, according to a handout issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Besides, the coronavirus fatalities reached 9,046, with the new deaths.
Bangladesh reported its first coronavirus cases on March 8 last year and the first death on the 18th of that month.
Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all
EdsSeeking cooperation from all to check the rapid transmission of coronavirus, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged people to avoid public gatherings, unnecessary outside stay and wear face masks everywhere.
“This time the virus is spreading very rapidly. This resurgence is not only seen in our country but also throughout the world. So, I would like to tell all that we’ll have to check the coronavirus again this time as we controlled everything in the first time,” she told Parliament.
The Prime Minister made the call participating in the discussion over the condolence motion placed in the first sitting of the 12th session of Parliament at the death of MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury (Sylhet-3).
She said though coronavirus was largely controlled in Bangladesh initially, the sudden surge in the virus infection has recently been seen as people ignored hygiene rules after the Covid-19 inoculation programme started.
Sheikh Hasina said public movement and gatherings went up excessively, though she repeatedly asked all to wear masks and follow the health rules even after getting vaccinated.
Noting that the government has already issued some directives to check the transmission of Covid-19, she said, “We’re trying to bring it under control gradually. But cooperation from people is needed in this regard.”
“I would like to request to pay special attention so that no public gathering takes place anywhere,” she said.
She suggested all to avoid large gatherings of people in social programmes like wedding and return home within a short time after completing their tasks in shops and markets.
“I would like to request all, no matter who is infected or not (by Covid-19), to wear masks always,” said the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister suggested people to take the hot water steam and use mustard oil in their nose. Though the use of mustard oil is rural practice, it can be effective in many cases, she said.
“I always use mustard oil in my nose whenever go outside after the outbreak of Coronavirus,” she added.
Also read:PM issues directives to tackle Covid-19
Restriction on gatherings, quarantine rule among PMO’s 18-point directive to contain Covid surge
In the wake of the fresh surge in the Covid-19 infections, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Monday issued an 18-point directive for the next two weeks in an effort to restrict the spread of the coronavirus in Bangladesh.
The directives have taken immediate effect throughout the country and those will remain in force for two weeks until further order, according to a notification signed by Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus.
All the ministries, divisions and agencies concerned have been asked to take necessary measures to implement the directives.
Also read: 14-day institutional quarantine mandatory for travellers from European countries: CAAB
The directives are related to restriction on public gatherings, using face-masks, ensuring the 14-day quarantine rule, and maintaining the Covid-19 health protocols.
“In the current situation of the Coronavirus infection, the government has taken the following decisions (directives),” said the notification.
The 18 directives are:
1) All types of public gathering (social, political, religious and others) will have to kept limited . All types of public gathering are prohibited in areas with highly-infection rate. Public gatherings on the occasion of any social event, including wedding and birthday ones will have to be discouraged.
Also read: UN-Habitat calls for post COVID-19 cities to lead the way to a healthier future
2) It has to be ensured that the health rules are properly maintained in all places of worship, including mosques.
3) Public gathers will have to be limited in tourist, recreation spots, movie houses and theatres, and all kinds of fairs should be discouraged.
4) The health rules will have to be maintained in public transports, and the number of passengers cannot exceed 50 percent of the capacity of a vehicle.
Also read: Covid-19: Secret filming exposes contamination risk at test results lab
5) Inter-district traffic should be restricted and if necessary, prohibited in the areas having the high Covid-19 infection risk.
6) Passengers from foreign lands must stay in 14-day institutional quarantine (with own expenses at hotel).
7) Arrangements have to be made for the sale of daily essentials in open places maintaining the health rules. It will have to be ensured that the health rules are maintained in pharmacies.