Covid Curbs: Experts again warn against reopening too soon

Experts have again warned against the wholesale lifting of the coronavirus restrictions as the government plans to withdraw the travel restrictions from Wednesday.

There is a real need for protecting people's livelihood, but the reopening should take place in phases, they said.

"At least, Dhaka and Chattogram cities must be under strict surveillance," Director General Prof ABM Khurshid Alam of the Directorate General of Health Services said, "Since it is hard to sustain strict restrictions [on all kinds of movement], we are recommending a set of measures that must be implemented to contain the virus.

"The situation in India should be an example for us," he told The Daily Star yesterday.

The positivity fell for the seventh consecutive day yesterday when the rate was 13.11 percent. The rate peaked at 23 percent during the second wave.

The cabinet division issued a notice on Friday, allowing shopping malls to remain open from 10:00am to 5:00pm from April 25.

But health experts say the latest decision to reopen might jeopardise the gains that have been made and worsen the situation once again.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said the government was considering whether to resume public transport services from April 28.

"Many people are stuck in different areas... during the ongoing lockdown. The government is actively considering resumption of public transport after the lockdown," he said.

Quader, also general secretary of the Awami League, said public vehicles must keep 50 percent seats empty and will be allowed to charge a fare that will be fixed later.

"We have to learn how to live with coronavirus… ."

Bangladesh Railway (BR) will also resume train services on April 29 if the government resumes public transport.

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said, "If public transport resumes, we will resume the train services. We have the preparations."

Passenger train services were suspended on April 5, when the government imposed restrictions on public movement and transport.

The public health advisory committee on Covid-19 on Thursday recommended the enforcement of health safety rules, which include wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing.

Shopping malls and kitchen markets should stay open at different times in different areas, the committee members said at a meeting.

They also demanded sustained restrictions on vehicles entering or leaving Dhaka and Chattogram cities and 50 percent or lower number of employees at offices.

"We want Dhaka and Chattogram to be disconnected from other parts of the country for a few more days. Someone who must enter or leave these cities may get a pass from the authorities," Prof ABM Khurshid Alam said.

The committee also recommended closing down the border with India and suspending all international flights.

Mushtuq Hussain, consultant of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), who attended the meeting, said, "It would not be wise to lift the restriction now."

Last week, the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 suggested the government lift the restrictions in phases based on the situation.

83 MORE DIE

With the 83 deaths reported yesterday, the toll reached 10,952.

A total of 20,571 samples were tested in 24 hours preceding 8:00am yesterday.

The total number of people infected in Bangladesh reached 7,42,400, said a DGHS release.

At least 5,477 Covid-19 patients recovered during the 24-hour period, it added.