Editorial Desk :
In a bid to contain the second wave of coronavirus, the government has decided to enforce a seven-day lockdown from Monday as infection and death rates are surging at alarming rates across the country. However, health experts did not give any hint about such an extreme decision at the time of issuing the 18-point guidelines on March 29. The question is whether the lockdown was inevitable, and also if an effective lockdown is actually possible under a disorganised government and policy inconsistencies.
This second phase of lockdown in little over a year
comes at a time when businesses are making a steady recovery from the shock caused by the pandemic shutdown last year and people have become optimistic about return to normalcy with the launch of vaccination. It is not clear yet whether the lockdown will end after seven days or will be extended. Last year, the general holiday was extended several times and continued till June 30 starting on March 26.
However, we noticed mismanagement in the implementation of last year’s first phase of lock down.
There are protests already against the disorganised and confused guidelines for observing the lockdown. The sufferings of the poor people have to be taken into account. The government must help the people. The government should feel obligated to spend some public money on the ill-fated poor ones. To hungry people’s survival comes first before obeying the government’s orders and directions. As in other countries of the world the government should take the responsibility of supplying food to the poor who otherwise go hungry for observing lockdown.
Hundred of shop owners from Chadni Chawk and Nilkhet markets in New Market area blocked the Nilkhet intersection in the capital, protesting the government restriction on shop opening during the lockdown from Monday. The protesters demanded allowing markets to remain open maintaining health safety measures. ‘We want to keep our shops open to earn our livelihoods’, chanted protesters. With similar demands, shopkeepers at the Bashundhara Shopping Complex also demonstrated in the afternoon. A bus was vandalised during the protests, police said.
During the lockdown, production and supply in all kinds of industries and services will remain open. Shopping malls, markets, and stores will also remain open till 6pm. Inter-district buses will continue to operate with 50 per cent passengers. Besides, all essential services would remain out of the purview of the shutdown. How to make such confusing shutdown successful will be worth noting.
To fight the dangerous pandemic, guidelines about individual protection must be enforced. The mask must be used and safe distance maintained. Reminding people of their individual responsibility is all very good. But thousands social workers should have been engaged under ministerial supervisions. The ministers are all indoors for their own safety. Mere issuing orders and depending on police power cannot be the way to meet the need of public awareness.
