Rohingya-inhabited areas in Ukhia and Teknaf declared red zones

Three unions under Ukhia upazila and Teknaf municipality in Cox's Bazar district -- areas inhabited by Rohingya refugees from Myanmar -- have been declared red zones to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The announcements were made in separate public directives from the local administration on Saturday, reports our Cox's Bazar correspondent.

In Ukhia, Ward No 2, 5, 6, and 9 of Rajapalong union; Ward No 1, 4, and 5 of Palongkhali union; and Court Bazar area of Ratnapalong union have been designated red zones, according to the directive undersigned by Ukhia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Nikaruzzaman Chowdhury.

These unions host around a million Rohingyas in the refugee camps, the largest such camps in the world.

The directive will come into effect from Sunday (today) midnight till June 21 midnight -- during this period, the respective areas will be placed under complete lockdown.

In Teknaf, the municipality area was declared red zone and will be placed under complete lockdown till June 21 midnight, according to the directive undersigned by Teknaf UNO Md Saiful Islam.

The decisions have been taken by Teknaf Upazila Covid-19 Prevention Committee, as per the advice given by Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Kamal Hossain, also the president of the Covid-19 prevention committee of the district, UNO Saiful Islam said.

He called upon the residents of the areas under red zones to abide by the rules set by the government in this regard.

Earlier, Cox's Bazar municipality under Sadar upazila and Chakaria municipality were declared red zones and came under 15-day strict lockdown from June 6 midnight onwards.