National Desk :
As the Indian variant of Covid-19 spreads rapidly in the neighbouring country and beyond, so is panic and fear among people in Bangladesh.
For instance, local residents as well as scores of workers at Sonahat Land Port in Kurigram are living in the face of fear, with hundreds of Indian truckers entering Bangladesh through the border daily.
The locals and port workers fear a potential transmission of the highly contagious Covid variant as these truckers hardly adhere to health safety norms — neither they wear masks nor maintain social distancing.
A reality check by UNB on Tuesday revealed that hundreds of goods-laden trucks from India were waiting on the Bangladesh side of the land port in Bhurungamari upazila for getting their documents verified.
Usually, the drivers and helpers of these trucks from India stay in the port area for a couple of days till the goods are unloaded.
UNB found only one worker deployed at the port for checking the body temperature of the Indian truck drivers and their helpers at the zero point check-post. He was also giving them sanitisers to disinfect their hands.
Once inside, these truck drivers and their helpers hardly follow any Covid-safety protocols. UNB spotted them having food at nearby eateries and later interacting with locals — none was wearing a mask.
Rafiqul, a worker at the port, said, “There are two health workers at the land port to check the body temperature of people coming into this country from India. After the formalities, these people go to the local eateries for having food.” Sattar, another port worker, said, “We do not wear masks at the workplace as we feel suffocated due to scorching heat.”
An Indian truck driver had a similar excuse. “It is impossible to wear a mask all the time, given the heat wave in the region. But we do sanitise our hands often.”
Gias Uddin, assistant director (traffic) at the land port, said, “The land port is no doubt a vulnerable point, but the authorities are taking all necessary steps to contain the spread of coronavirus and also raising awareness among people working here.” “I feel that all port workers should undergo a mandatory Covid test,” he added.
Kurigram Civil Surgeon Dr Habibur Rahman said, “A medical team has been deputed at the port. The team is entrusted with the responsibility of encouraging people to maintain all Covid-safety protocols. If any negligence is found on its part, action will be taken after a proper investigation.”
