Country coming under lockdown

NEWS DESK 

Bangladesh has started to go into lockdown in phases in a bid to prevent the further spread of the deadly coronavirus.

As part of preventive measures against the killer disease, several coronavirus-hit areas of the country have come under lockdown.

The government has taken all the precautious measures in a quick response to the fight against the global pandemic.

In the latest move, local administration locked down Sadullahpur upazila of Gaibandha on Sunday as two expatriates carrying the virus symptoms joined a marriage ceremony there.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nabi Newaz confirmed the news to the media.

Amid the rise of coronavirus cases, the government has also banned the entry of foreign nationals through the land ports—Benapole, Bhomra, Banglabandha, Hili, Burimari, Roumari, Darshana, Nakugaaon, Tamabil, Sheola and Akhaura—of the country.

The restriction will remain in force until further notice, said a home ministry notification issued on Sunday.

Earlier on Thursday, the authorities concerned enforced the shut down in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district because of the spreading of Covid-19 there.

Law enforcement agencies have been cordoning off the Shibchar area for the third consecutive day so that none can roam here and there.

Sources at Shibchar said that some 70,000 people had been put under watch. The businesses and other important offices had also been closed and the total area became deserted, they said.

In Bangladesh, a total of 27 persons were detected with coronavirus infection so far, among them, five patients were recovered and two died.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared the coronavirus crisis a pandemic.

The COVID-19, first reported in China’s Wuhan, has been spread to 189 countries across the globe.

The death toll from the coronavirus or COVID-19 has climbed to 13,671 globally while 96,010 people got recovered among a total 3,18,254 coronavirus cases.

The WHO has also suggested Bangladesh to go into social distancing or lockdown and declare an emergency due to the outbreak.

Considering the pandemic, the cabinet meeting—generally held every Monday with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair—has also been suspended. 

Besides, the government also postponed the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations scheduled to begin on April 1 due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader recently said that the government mulls over shutting down Bangladesh, if necessary, to save people in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

“If necessary, Bangladesh will be shut down to prevent further spread of the virus. It will be enforced where it is necessary. People must be saved first and we will do everything for it,” he told reporters.

Operation of bus services have remained suspended in many districts as the drivers do not want to drive vehicles amid the virus fear.

Rajshahi Transport Owners Association has already been suspended its services between Rajshahi-Dhaka and Chattogram for an indefinite period to check the spread of the virus.

Besides, small businesses, hotels and grocery shops have been shut down in many areas as part of the precautionary measures. 

Bangladesh has also imposed a ban on entry of flights from 10 overseas countries till March 31 midnight to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

Bangladesh on Saturday also decided to scrap all state programmes, including the celebration of Independence Day, to avoid mass gatherings in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.

Placing wreaths at the National Memorial on March 26 as part of the state and social rituals, civic reception at Bangabhaban and distribution of Independence Day medals were the ceremonies which would not be held this year.