Movement of all tourist ships on the Teknaf-Saint Martin's Island route of Cox's Bazar was suspended from today due to a surge in Covid-19 cases across the country.

No vessel left Teknaf for Saint Martin's Island since this morning, reports our Cox's Bazar correspondent.

However, many small engine boats sailed for Saint Martin's from the Kaukkhali Canal of Teknaf poura area in the morning to ferry residents and daily commodities.

Tofael Ahmed, president of Tour Association of Cox's Bazar and owner of a ship – FB Cruise –said the district administration instructed them to halt plying of all tourist-carrying ships on the route until further notice due to the current coronavirus situation. 

Assistant Commissioner Syed Murad Hossain, also in-charge of the tourist cell of the district administration, confirmed that his office issued instructions for halting ship movement between Saint Martin's and Teknaf.

Movement of water vessels carrying regular passengers and daily essentials will remain normal, maintaining health guidelines.

On November 12, BTWTA approved eight ships for carrying passengers on the route on different terms.

TOURIST SPOTS IN SYLHET CLOSED FOR 2 WEEKS

All tourist spots in Sylhet district have been shut down for the next two weeks to curb the spread of deadly coronavirus, UNB reports quoting officials today.

The directive has come from the local administration in the wake of the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh.

Mohammad Altaf Hossain, superintendent of Tourist Police Sylhet Region, told UNB that all hotels, motels, resorts, and tourist spots will remain shut for two weeks as per government order.

He also urged people to wear face masks and follow other health protocols.