Amdadul Haque
Preventive measures in crowded places like launch and bus terminals and rail stations across the country are inadequate, though the coronavirus panic runs high among the people. Many people have been leaving Dhaka by bus, train and launch due to the coronavirus scare. They are moving to their village homes to avoid the density of the capital. If someone sneezes or coughs, people next to them look on suspiciously.
Moving around Kamalapur Railway Station, Sadarghat Launch Terminal and several bus terminals of the city, this Bangladesh Post correspondent noticed the embarrassing situation on Saturday. Crowds were found for the Parabat Express, Nilphamari Express, Sundarban Express, Bonolota Express, Karnaphuli Express train from the Kamalapur Railway Station.
Passengers said they are leaving Dhaka to avoid the panic. At the same time, they were arguing whether travel by public transport was safe for them. “Technically, Bangladesh is a digital country, but the railway stations have not taken any measures to screen the virus which has started spreading rapidly,” a passenger told this reporter while walking on the platform of Kamalapur railway station.
Meanwhile, some of the passengers in Kamalapur station were being given hand sanitizers. If anyone felt sick, his body temperature was being measured. But passengers claimed this system is very insufficient. Railway employee Abdul Mobin said they have been giving hand sanitizers to the passengers in three shifts.
However, it is learned that there is no detecting machine such as thermal scanner, in the railway stations of Bangladesh. When asked, Mia Jahan, Additional Director General of Bangladesh Railway said, “We have taken steps to create awareness among the passengers and distributed leaflets provided from the Health Ministry”.
The same scenario found in the bus terminals. A passenger of Hanif Express said that Dhaka is very dangerous for him in this situation. That's why he is going to Rajshahi in his village home. Green Line Paribahan’s passenger Yasmin said, It is very dangerous to travel using public transport. But I am going home for special needs. If the authority keeps buses clean, everyone will be benefited.
Although the sanitizer was given during entering the bus counter, it was very insufficient. Somebody is being given in only one hand and some are being deprived, she added. There are not enough sanitizers and detecting machines found in the bus terminals for coronavirus. Passengers urged the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to stop the spread.
Talking to Bangladesh Post, President of Bangladesh SarakParibahan Malik Samity, Moshiur Rahman Ranga said they have instructed bus owners and operators to keep their vehicles clean and to provide sanitizers to the passengers to prevent the virus spreading.
“Like many people I’m also here to depart Dhaka as I want to go to my village in Barishal. As it is the busiest and biggest launch terminal in the country, which witnesses huge crowds of passengers every day, it is at serious risk from the coronavirus,” a female passenger told this reporter while boarding a launch at Sadarghat launch terminal.
Public relations officer of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), MubarokHusenMojumdar told Bangladesh Post that they have taken a lot of measures in the launch terminals across the country to prevent corona. “We are providing sanitizers and distributing leaflets among the passengers. We have set up a lot of banners and festoons also to make awareness about the virus.”
“We have already directed all officials of Barishal, Paturia, Chandpur and Aricha launch terminals to take effective measures to prevent coronavirus,” he added. The global death toll surged past 11,000 on Saturday, with the total number of confirmed cases worldwide having crossed 250,000. Bangladesh confirmed 24 patients infected with coronavirus with 2 having died.
Experts said that the novel coronavirus cannot be prevented single-handedly; but rather it needs combined efforts from each and every sector, not only at airports but also everywhere. People, experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or coming from the highly affected countries, should voluntarily consult doctors. Mass gatherings should not be allowed in any terminal in the country.
According to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research, 24 affected cases were confirmed in Bangladesh. Dry cough, fever and breathing problems are the elementary symptoms of Covid-19. When these symptoms are visible, people must consult a doctor.
Meanwhile, Health Minister ZahidMalek has urged vehicles not to transport passengers having cold-cough-fever to prevent coronavirus infection. The Health Minister also requested the Ministry of Railways and Road Transport and Bridges to keep hand sanitizers in public transports for passengers.
The minister urged these at a press briefing on Saturday and said if anyone has a fever, he or she should not use any transport.
