Bangladesh has ordered a shutdown of inter-district transport services during the Eid-ul-Fitr as the second wave of the novel coronavirus afflicted us To contain the spread of its transmission, the government has extended the ongoing lockdown till May 16 with a view to halting mass movement of people across the country by keeping suspended inter-district bus, launch and train services. However, public transport will be allowed to operate within the cities and districts from tomorrow. There will be a three-day holiday for the Eid-ul-Fitr, the greatest religious festival of the Muslims.
The decision came from the weekly cabinet meeting on Monday, said the Cabinet Secretary while briefing the media after the meeting. Local administrations will conduct drives in markets and shopping malls and monitor whether the market operators are following the health safety guidelines properly. The government will be tougher to make people wear masks to curb the spread of the virus. “If any of the markets or malls is found flouting the guidelines, it will be shut if necessary.”
The Eid-ul-Fitr is scheduled to be celebrated on May 13 or 14, subject to the sighting of the moon. The decision to keep public transports suspended was taken to discourage homebound rush seen during such holidays, as it would help contain the spread of the pandemic. However, transportation of goods by road and waterways, supplies for factories, government projects, pharmacies and hospitals are exempted from the restriction.
In normal times, nearly three crore people go to their village homes from the capital and other major cities during the Eid-ul-Fitr vacation, according to Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, a passenger welfare forum. It apprehends that the coronavirus may spread sharply if people travel to their village homes this time. Indonesia and some other Muslim countries also have imposed ban on home going during the Eid in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. The Eid holiday falls within the lockdown period.
We understand the need of lockdown and discouraging human gatherings but we find lack of consideration to deal with the human consequences. The government is of the Awami League and others are suspected of subversive activities. The government should organise its ministers and party workers for helping local needy people not street beggars.
