Thousands of people without maintaining any social distancing continued to crowd ferries on major water routes on Friday on their way back to Dhaka after Eid-ul-Fitr amid the intensifying Covid-19 pandemic.
Since morning, people from 21 southern districts of the country continued coming back to the capital city using two major water routes on the Padma River.
They were moving on roads and vehicles without maintaining social distancing. Some were carrying face masks, but are not wearing them.
With no public transport allowed, paying extra-high fares, commuters crammed onto whatever small transport was available at the ferry terminals to get to their destinations.
Talking to Md Foisal, assistant manager (Trade) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) at Shimulia ferry terminal, this correspondent learned that over a thousand passengers got off the ferries at Shimulia since early morning.
“Four ferries have been operating on the Shimulia-Kathalbari route this Friday. Cars, autos-rickshaws, motorbikes and other small transport are up for hire to commuters to get to their destinations,” he added.
Md Ashiqur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Goalanda ghat police station, said: “Commuters are being advised to maintain mandatory physical distancing and health directives. Police are engaged in ensuring security law and order. However, each individual must practice awareness to successfully curb the spread of the coronavirus.”
The government on Thursday announced the withdrawal of the ongoing nationwide public holiday. After more than two months, offices and businesses can resume from May 31 on a limited scale.
Earlier, on May 22, police withdrew all controls at key exit points and on highways in and out of Dhaka. Ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, perhaps the largest Muslim festival, this opened up a floodgate for people headed in and out of the city.