Local authorities have imposed restrictions on entry and exit from Barisal city to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Tuesday, SM Ajiar Rahman, the district’s deputy commissioner (DC), said: “Barisal Metropolitan Police (BMP) with the help of other law enforcement agencies, deployed at the different entry and exit points of the city, will enforce and supervise the restriction.”
Contacted, Khairul Alam, deputy commissioner of BMP, said: “We have started patrolling the different entry and exit points of the city -- Gariarpar, Nathullabad, Rupatali, Dapdapia, Kalizira and elsewhere -- since Tuesday morning.
“All shops, except pharmacies, situated on the main roads of the city have been asked to close down by 7pm and those in the branch roads have been instructed to shut down by 2pm.”
“From now on we are going to take strict action against those who are outside without emergency purposes,” he added.
Police and the armed forces have increased their patrol activities and check posts to restrict the movement of people and vehicles in and out from the city.
However, those involved with emergency services such as – medicine, agricultural supplies, and import-export duty among others – and the vehicles carrying them, will not fall under this suspension.
Meanwhile, local magistrates Ataye Rabbi and Maruf Dastogir, during multiple drives in different areas of the city, fined several shops for defying the directives of the district administration.
“The operators of TCB’s OMS scheme have also been asked to maintain the guidelines provided by the Health Ministry by ensuring social distancing and avoiding mass public gatherings while selling essential food items,” said Rabbi.
The Bangladesh authorities till Wednesday have detected altogether 218 Covid-19 patients.
Covid-19 has so far led to the deaths of over 83,000 people in more than 200 countries and territories, including 20 from Bangladesh.