‘Strict Lockdown’: Movement of people, vehicles increase

Despite the "strict lockdown" that has been imposed by the government to contain coronavirus spread, the capital yesterday witnessed a significant rise in public and vehicular movement because of lax monitoring by the law enforcers.

Visiting the main thoroughfares in Shyamoli, Asad Gate, Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Dhanmondi, and Farmgate areas, our correspondent found all modes of transport, except buses, plying the roads.

At some check-posts, police were seen sitting idly and rarely stopping people for checking "movement pass".

In the morning, the pressure of private vehicles and transports arranged by workplaces was higher on the streets because of office timing, a police officer at Asad Gate check-post said.

About movement pass, he said that it is not possible to check all the people, but they were checking randomly.

In Shyamoli, many were seen coming for Covid-19 tests or to get vaccinated as there are several hospitals in the area.

Yesterday, CNG-run auto-rickshaws increased than any other days during this lockdown. Rickshaws are dominating the streets.

In Pallabi, a housemaid told this correspondent that she works at two homes in the morning. But she was still on the street around 12:00 noon, seeking help from affluent people.

"I live in Bhasantek slum. Many like me roamed on the street in the hope to get some aid," she said.

On Ring road at Mohammadpur, a queue was seen in front of a state-owned bank. Locals gathered there to pay their utility and other bills.

The scenes at kitchen markets were as usual -- teeming with people in the morning. At Mohammadpur Town Hall Bazar, the fish market was more crowded.

Meanwhile, the alleys remained as crowded as ever since many shops besides groceries and pharmacies are operating their businesses. Many had their shutters half-closed.

Visiting the Mirpur area in the afternoon, it was seen that many shops were operating even after 3:00pm disregarding the closure time.

With coronavirus cases continuing to rise alarmingly from mid-March, the government imposed a nationwide "lockdown" for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain the virus's spread.

Later, a week-long "stricter lockdown" was declared from April 14, which has been extended till April 28.