Pandemic curbs only on paper

The restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19 remain only on paper as there is little enforcement by government agencies to control public movement and plying of vehicles.

With inter-district buses off the road, those who left the capital for village homes to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr are now returning in jam-packed vehicles, flouting the health safety guidelines.

Yesterday, thousands of holidaymakers from southern districts flocked to Banglabazar, Daulatdia and Kazirhat ferry terminals to reach the capital, crossing the Padma.

Besides, the number of people on the streets, and at kitchen markets, shopping malls, restaurants and parks in the city has gone up significantly. Many of them do not wear any facemasks and follow the social distancing rules.

Health experts have again warned that such careless acts amid lax enforcement of the restrictions could result in a spike in coronavirus cases.

There has been a rise in Covid infections after the Eid. Over 1,500 cases were reported yesterday, up from 261 a week ago.

Experts and health officials had earlier said the Indian and three other variants of Covid could cause another surge in infections unless strict restrictions were enforced properly.

Noted virologist Prof Nazrul Islam said the way holidaymakers have been travelling across the country clearly showed that the restrictions were not being implemented.

"Instead of keeping the buses off the road, those should be allowed to operate, maintaining the health safety rules," said the member of the National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19.

Commenting on the bureaucratic tangles at different ministries, he said, "The advisory committee sends recommendations to the health ministry.

"The file then lies idle there for days. We don't know the officials who see these recommendations and make decisions. Then the file goes to the public administration ministry. Do you even know how many officials are involved in the process? This is not the right way to get things done."

By the time the officials reach a decision, the recommendations lose their timeliness, he said.

RUSH AT ENTRY POINTS

In five days from May 15, at least 5,345,826 active mobile phone subscribers entered the capital while 10,645,697 subscribers left Dhaka between May 4 and May 15, according to Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission data.

The numbers are an indication of how many people have been travelling despite the restrictions on operation of long-haul buses, trains and launches.

Yesterday, not much activities from the law enforces were visible at different entry points of the capital.

On the Padma river, 18 ferries have been operating between Shimulia and Banglabazar, 16 between Paturia and Daulatdia, and four between Aricha and Kazirhat terminals, according to the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

Faisal Ahmed, BIWTA manager in Shimulia, said the ferries have been packed with people and vehicles. Sometimes several ferries had to carry only people to ease the rush.

Seeking anonymity, an official of Dhaka Metropolitan Police said police do not check everyone on the road to avoid causing traffic congestion.

Yesterday, there were moderate to heavy traffic congestion at different intersections on the capital's Airport Road, and in Pragati Sarani, Bhatara, Natun Bazar, Gulshan, Banani, Bijoy Sarani, and Farmgate areas.

Many restaurants were open despite the restrictions and there were large congregations at mosques.

Infectious disease specialist Prof Ridwanur Rahman said, "The government took many measures from the beginning of the pandemic. But the existed on paper only… There is little action. The lockdown here is an empty word, it means no action."

There are no inter-district buses, but people know how to travel without those, he said.

"The orders regarding the lockdown say that people can't do this or that. But it does not specifically say people can't travel unless there is an emergency. It's a problem of the system. If people knew that they can't travel by any means, they wouldn't attempt to do so," he said.

The Indian variant is a concern because it transmits more rapidly than other variants, he noted.

"We have vaccinated four percent of our population. If there is a third wave, infections may suddenly rise because of the Indian variant."