Markets overflooded with carefree buyers

Noman Mosharef :
The markets in the capital city have been over flooded by the people overlooking health guidelines after the government relaxed restrictions on opening the markets, making door to transmit Covid-19 in the people.
When different markets were visited, it has been seen that people of all ages are gathering round the shopping malls and markets with festive feeling as there will remain one day only ahead of ‘strict lockdown’.
People behave as if they are buying clothes for Pahela Boishakh, the first day of Bengali Calendar, and Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festivals of the Muslim community.
The scenario of the capital’s New Market area was more devastating as it was impossible to walk on the footpath.
Sharmin Akter came from Mirpur area for buying some clothes as they are guessing that the government will extend the lockdown until Eid. So, they wouldn’t get time to buy new outfits for Eid celebrating.
When asked about Covid-19 that there is chance to transmit Covid-19 into people, she said, there is nothing to do. If Allah wants then anyone can catch the coronavirus, nothing else.
She said, the government is giving opportunity to buy our necessary items. Otherwise, why did the government announce to open the shops amid lockdown?
A shop owner from New Market area’s Chandni Chawk market said, we are struggling to survive. If the government enhances the ‘strict lockdown’ we will count huge loss as we have already ordered new collection of clothes.
He admits that it is impossible to maintain health guidelines as too much people swarmed in the shops. But we are trying our best. It has been seen that a boy stood up at the main entrance of the shop to keep a spray sanitizer bottle in his hand.
Meanwhile, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the ongoing restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus will continue for Monday and Tuesday. He made the announcement in a virtual press briefing on Sunday from his residence
Bangladesh is ready to go into weeklong lockdown with strict measures, during which offices will be shut, from Wednesday.
The current lockdown ended on the midnight of Sunday.
Former WHO Adviser Professor Dr. M Muzaherul Hoque told The New Nation that the government decision on relaxed restriction to open the shopping mall and markets was unwise and unscientific.
If people gate opportunity to go to markets or any places they will go, but the government has responsibility how to handle the people’s demand, he added.
The health expert said, people randomly move in markets and will make greater complication to curb the virus transmission.
He also raised question about the word ‘strict lockdown’ saying lockdown is lockdown.