Staff Reporter :
Dhaka city residents continue to defy the government’s lockdown order, which is imposed to combat coronavirus.
Besides, thousands ignore social distancing advice while queueing for food and vegetables at the city’s kitchen markets and TCB’s makeshift commodity sale outlet.
Even the members of law enforcement agencies are exhausted though they have to enforce the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus. They are also confused whether to stop people by force or ignore the violation of the lockdown by individuals in absence of necessary order from high-ups.
“We are frustrated at the rule breakers, but we cannot go tough against them as our high command asked to handle the situation carefully,” an on-duty police officer told The New Nation on Monday.
He said, “We are asking people to obey the lockdown rules and sending most people home with a warning.”
Dhaka Metropolitan Police put 54 areas under lockdown to contain spread of coronavirus. In others areas, community leaders have stepped up to limit movement in their own efforts.
The government also deploys army to aid the civil administration in enforcing the lockdown rules and maintain social distancing protocol. But they also find it hard to enforce the lockdown due to people’s wholesale violation of stay at home.
However, public health experts expressed serious concern over the breach of stay at home order saying such a practice can aggravate the corona situation in Dhaka, which already turns hotspot of the deadly virus with recording the highest number of active cases so far.
Coronavirus has spread to 75 areas in Dhaka, with 335 residents of the capital tested positive till Monday.
“The number of Covid-19 cases has started increasing rapidly in the last few days. It is a sign that the spread of the virus is continuing at community level despite the lockdown,” Dr Muzaherul Islam, a Health Expert told The New Nation.
He said if the lockdown is not enforced strictly, the virus may spread throughout the city.
“The government should take strict measures to keep the residents at home. If needed curfew may be slapped,” Prof Dr ABM Abdullah, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Personal Physician told The New Nation.
“The spread of coronavirus is now at stage three in the country. But it may enter stage four soon if people continue to show their relaxed mood in abiding social distancing protocol in absence of stringent measures to enforce the lockdown,” he added.
