HAKIMPUR Upazila of Dinajpur district has set an example of low Covid-19 cases by enforcing the mandatory face mask use and by encouraging people to maintain social distancing. From March 10, only 11 people tested positive in Hakimpur, which has a population of about 1.20 lakh. Of the affected, eight recovered and none died from Covid-19 in the upazila, while in 12 other upazilas of the district the confirmed case total was in excess of 959. It has been proven that using the face mask and keeping social distancing can contain the contagion.
We hope the news is correct, but know this much that at all levels the authorities must do their best to save lives from controllable coronavirus. The local authorities could be effective in creating public awareness about gravity of the danger and the urgency of following the safety measures.
Several initiatives such as “No Mask, No Entry” and “No Mask, No Sale” as well as social distancing measures have helped keep the numbers low. So far, 300 samples, collected at the Hakimpur Upazila Health Complex were tested in the District Headquarters and no new sample was tested positive recently. Shopkeepers in the Upazila Headquarters and even in villages have been asked not to sell any item if customers do not wear masks. If the rule is violated, the Corona Protirodh Committee punishes the traders. Already several shops have been shut down for selling products to customers wearing no mask. So far, 207 cases have been filed against those who violated Covid-19 restrictions, and about Tk 7 lakh has been realized in fines.
Movement of around 500 Indian truckers and helpers, who commute every day through Hakimpur’s border with India carrying imported goods have also been restricted. From March to May, volunteers gave doorstep service to the needy and common people to prohibit any gathering at shops and markets. A remote upazila has succeeded to contain the contagion by maintaining health safety properly, where there are no isolation centers, workable medicine, testing facilities, treatment facilities, or ICU. If Hakimpur sets the example, why can’t the rest of the country follow the rules as it works?
