BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today described the nationwide lockdown announced by the government to contain Coronavirus spread as a 'joke' since it repeatedly failed to fully enforce such restrictions in recent times.

"The government has again announced a lockdown for seven days, which has now turned into a joke. It's now saying the lockdown will be enforced from Thursday instead of Monday. It's a joke," said Fakhrul.

He said, "The lockdown has become completely ineffective due to the incompetence and irresponsibility of the government. Lockdown can never be fruitful without ensuring food for the poor and day-labourers and transferring cash to the workers in the informal sector."

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office on the outcomes of the party standing committee's virtual meeting held yesterday. 

Asked why he considers the lockdown "a joke", Fakhrul said the government first announced a general holiday and then enforced a lockdown last year. "It's been seen many workers went back home with the announcement of the holiday and they came back again. They (govt) now announced a lockdown when there's a lockdown in place. Isn't it a joke?"

He said the government has shut inter-district transport services from the capital without any proper plan. "That's why many people are leaving Dhaka and many others are returning here from different districts on foot taking the seven-day lockdown as holidays."

Stating that the people of Bangladesh are very witty, Fakhrul said they are joking about the strict lockdown and other terms.

He said their party thinks it will not be possible to deal with the spread of the deadly virus without the active participation of people. "People will go out of their homes in search of work, out of hunger. In fact, the government has no well-planned programme on the Covid-19."

Taking a swipe at Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader for his comments about the "bleak future" of BNP, Fakhrul questioned why the ruling party leaders are so concerned about BNP. "I would like to say the future of Awami League is very dark because of their misdeeds...the ruling party leaders won't find an escape route if people wake up."