The government announced a seven-day lockdown to control the spread of coronavirus that started from Monday. Although passenger bus services were suspended, the town of Moulvibazar was occupied by rickshaws and auto-rickshaws on the first day of the lockdown.
People got out on the streets slowly as the day began. A large number of private cars, rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and motorcycles were seen on the roads. The number of rickshaws were high especially in the town.
Rickshaw puller Rabiul in Chowmohona area of Moulvibazar said "We are helpless. I have to get out on the street with my rickshaw to earn my livelihood. The owner has to be paid Tk two hundred every day as the rent of the rickshaw”.
An auto-rickshaw driver named Hashem Mia said, “I have just taken out my auto-rickshaw on the street and earned Tk one hundred. In the evening I have to take food home. If I stop driving, I won’t be able to feed the family. We will have to starve.”
Kamran Ahmed, a student who came to the town due to an urgent paper work for the college, said,“no computer shops were open, but the whole town is full of rickshaws and people.”
Meanwhile, the government has announced a seven-day lockdown across the country with 11-point directives.
Almost all markets and shops are closed except kitchen markets, drug stores, and hotels. Even though the restaurants are open, no one is allowed inside. Only takeaways were available.
According to the Civil Surgeon's Office, 19 people were tested positive for corona from 72 sample in Moulvibazar on Sunday.
The first person to be infected with corona in Moulvibazar was identified on April 5, 2020. In one year, 2,076 people in the district have been infected with the virus and 24 people died. Of the total victims in Moulvibazar, 1,924 have recovered.
