The government has signaled on Tuesday that the lockdown scheduled up to August 5 may continue further if the spread of the Covid-19 does not come down. The death toll on Wednesday was reported to be 237 and infections 16,230 to show that the pandemic is sweeping across the entire country. The Eid break has evidently caused further deterioration of the situation.
The government has called for stricter enforcement of lockdown but question arises how long such lockdown can be used to protect the nation crippling business, keeping schools and all economic activities closed. The poor and jobless people have no food and cash to survive. Garment producers fear buyers may suspend orders if the industries can’t operate to meet supply deadlines. This is a delicate situation but we must find ways to survive. We would say that the government must actively think of alternative ways without keeping the nation locked for longer time and allow people to join work. But many also wonder if the lockdown is equally applying to all.
A report said on Tuesday an open air gathering of more than 300 people was held in Natore in which the local Member of Parliament was the chief guest. A cake-cutting session and discussion were held on the occasion in which the crowds were found not wearing masks and maintaining social distance. What is most surprising is that the two mobile courts, deployed in the area to implement the lockdown were out of sight at that time. Such a lockdown will surely fail. Then why the government is showcasing the lockdown.
We would say the government must immediately roll out a nation-wide vaccination programme to prepare the people physically throughout the country to protect themselves by developing herd immunity. We need strong leadership with proper institutional capacity and vaccine supply to tackle the crisis. We are running from door to door to buy vaccines at high cost. We would say to protect the nation the health minister must immediately resign instead of giving a new lockdown.
