Noman Mosharef :
People are leaving the capital to share the joy of Eid with their families, with high risk of deadly coronavirus transmission ignoring health guidelines suggested by the government.
Crowds are gathering at Kamalapur Railway Station, Gabtoli bus terminal, Saidabad Bus Terminal, Sadar Ghat Launch Terminal and other exit points of the capital. Despite bus and train routes being opened, people are struggling to get tickets for specific destinations. Very little effort was visible in maintaining safety regulations.
Moreover, the public health experts have warned that Eid exodus will worsen the Covid-19 situation as people are ignoring health guidelines during their journey.
Long-haul public transport has started from Thursday after a two-week lockdown due to coronavirus infection.
The pressure of home goers has been increased rapidly. Many people are crowding at the bus counters for tickets.
In the Gabtoli Bus Terminal on Friday morning, it was found that paassengers who have already collected tickets are waiting for the buses in front of the counters. Most of them have masks on their faces.
Again, many passengers are gathering at the counters in anticipation of tickets two days before Eid. The counter concerned thinks that this pressure will be increased in the afternoon.
A young man named Tamjid came to the Gabtoli Bus Terminal to buy tickets in advance. He was trying to get the advance ticket to go village home on July 19. Getting the ticket, Tamjid said, “I will try to comeback on time after celebrating Eid with my family”
Asaduzzaman Ershad, owner of AS Enterprise Transport, said, “There is some pressure today as it is Friday. However, passengers have to wait because the car is late.”
“Due to the traffic jam on the way, the vehicles that were supposed to return last night will arrive by today noon,” he added.
On the other hand, the number of buses carrying many home-bound people from different areas, including Dhaka, increased at Daulatdia Ghat.
Long queues of vehicles were seen as the ferry was less than the demand. Health guide lines were seen violated in the crowded ghat area. Masks were not seen on the faces of many.
Ghat officials said that only 15 ferries are plying on the Daulatdia-Paturia route. At least 20 ferries were operated with vehicles and passengers to cross the route during the last Eid.
Due to the sudden increase in the number of passengers and vehicles, long queues have been created on the highway in the ghat area which caused misery. Passengers were trapped between the scorching sun and heat.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital’s (BSMMU) former Deputy Director Dr Mukhlesuzzaman Hero said, it was not wise decision to relax the lockdown after two weeks of ‘strict lockdown.’
He said, the benefit of 14 days lockdown would be washed away as people are rushing to go their home towns without following any kinds of health rules.
Former Deputy Director further said, infections are still high whereas the relaxed lockdown will help increase the transmission and will add more death.
