Mir Nasiruddin Uzzal, Munshiganj
Homebound people on Tuesday set out for their village homes by goods-laden transports, private cars, motorcycles and other vehicles defying the health guidelines and social distancing norms after government announced a stricter seven-day lockdown beginning from April 14 to curb the worsening Covid-19 situation.
The Shimulia Ferry Ghat in Munshiganj was brimming with people without masks. Social distancing and other health guidelines were hardly followed on Tuesday.
More than 1,000 vehicles were stranded at Shimulia Ferry Ghat on Tuesday noon. Some 700 vehicles were waiting at Banglabazar Ghat. Hundreds of thousands of people thronged Shimulia Ferry Ghat to reach their ancestral homes.
Shimulia Ferry Ghat BIWTC Manager, Shafayet Ahmed told Bangladesh Post, “A total of 14 ferries out of 16 have been running between Shimulia and Banglabazar Ghats. But, the service is not enough to cope with the mad rush.”
No launch service is being operated in the waterways. Thousands of people were crossing the Padma river by speed boats and small trawlers risking their lives. Moreover, many people were seen crossing the river boarding on the transport ferry.
Many homebound people said that they were heading towards their village homes as there is an uncertainty over the lockdown. Moreover, the living costs are too high in the city. So, they are leaving the capital city.
However, many passengers claimed that they had to pay extra fare than the regular fair.
Experts have warned that huge gatherings can result in a spike in the number of Covid-19 infections and fatalities. The government has already taken several steps including imposing lockdown and announcing general holidays. However, all these seem to have little impact on the people.
Earlier, a government notification said, “No one will be allowed to venture outside homes without emergency and operations of all modes of public transport — road, river, rail and domestic and international flights — will be banned during the weeklong lockdown from April 14.
Transportation of goods, production cycle and emergency services would remain outside the ambit of the ban on transports.
