TRAFFIC bustle returned to Dhaka with the resumption of city bus services on Wednesday, the third day of the seven-day countrywide lockdown. In the wake of commuters’ sufferings, the government allowed public transports to resume their operations in the city corporation area from dawn to dusk. And on the fourth day, the government allows the shopping malls to reopen for the daytime. The relaxation has come as the country witnessed the highest death toll 74 on Thursday when 6,854 new cases were detected. The relaxation undeniably brought some sort of relief for commuters, vendors, traders and retailers who suffered during the previous two days for lack of public transports. However, the enforcement of health safety regulations remained weak plus coordinated awareness campaign during the resurge of Covid-19 was absent.
With the resumption of public transport service, Dhaka got back its usual traffic chaos and sound pollution though the number of vehicles remained relatively low. Most bus operators run up to 60 per cent of their capacity and maintain health protocols. People are thronging kitchen markets, roadside hawkers have resumed their business in this overcrowded city. Private cars, rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, microbuses, CNG-run auto-rickshaws and many ride-sharing services were seen plying on the streets. The authorities concerned need to make sure the all people availing public transports use face masks.
Despite the spike in infections many people are not observing mandatory physical distance nor wearing masks or doing frequent hand washing or sanitising. Law enforcers are also seen with face masks on their chin. Experts say it will be difficult to contain coronavirus infections and deaths if a strict lockdown is not enforced as the situation is turning worse day by day. Many patients are moving from one hospital to another for admission or oxygen support as most hospitals remain occupied. Perhaps, we learnt nothing from the first wave and forgot every commitment to capacity building in our hospitals to accommodate patients.
