Councilors of two wards of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) issued separate public notices to close down all eateries in their respective areas to curb the spread of coronavirus, but one of them later withdrew their decision.
DSCC ward 57 Councilor Saidul Islam Madbar made an announcement to shut down all restaurants, tea stalls, bakeries, and confectioneries in his community.
The notice, issued on March 21, said food shops will remain closed until further notice in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, a new strain of coronavirus. However, grocery shops, pharmacies, ATM booths, hospitals, vegetable markets, butcher shops, and mobile recharging shops will be exempt and remain open to serve the people.
Saidul said he took the decision in the greater interest of the community and the nation.
“I took the decision after consulting with local police officers and magistrates. They also encouraged me to issue the notice. We do not want anyone to get infected by coronavirus and have banned all kinds of social gatherings,” he added.
His colleague, DSCC ward one councilor Wahidul Hasan Milton, who also issued such a notice, later backtracked and withdrew the decision.
“After seeing such a public notice from my colleague, I also issued one on Sunday morning but withdrew it after realizing that I do not have the jurisdiction to do so,” Milton told the Dhaka Tribune.
He said that his area, Khilgaon, is well known for its numerous restaurants.
“There are around 200 restaurants in my ward. I am personally requesting all restaurant owners to close their restaurants to avoid public gatherings as it is not in my jurisdiction to force the closure,” Milton said.
In Bangladesh, 27 people have tested positive for coronavirus and there have been two recorded deaths from coronavirus infection so far.
The fast spreading Covid-19 has claimed more than 13,000 lives and infected over 318,000 globally, according to Worldometer.