In the midst of the current lockdown, which is its strictest form ever mandated by the government, repercussions are natural. This newspaper has editorialized numerous times about these unavoidable ramifications -- imposing a strict lockdown is not an easy decision to take, and every government across the world knows this.
However, despite the inevitable consequences of such strict lockdowns, it begs repeating that Bangladesh is currently experiencing its worst wave of Covid-19 infections, registering over 11,000 daily infections and over 200 daily deaths.
Therefore, at this juncture, while we may sympathize with the position of shop-owners and retailers -- and why the shop owners’ association wrote to the prime minister herself, urging the government to allow them open up shop -- this is simply not the time to consider the re-opening of stores.
Health experts across the board also agree; even if these stores were able to follow through with their pledge to strictly maintain the health safety rules, gatherings in indoor spaces are the biggest culprit for the spread of the virus, and it is a risk that, given the current predicament, the government cannot afford to take.
Yet, there is no reason why shops and retailers, in particular the cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs) in the country should suffer, and this responsibility falls on the government -- to take measures to help these people, and ensure that the loss of income does not lead to an inability to make ends meet.
While it is extremely unfortunate that Bangladesh’s rapidly deteriorating situation with regard to Covid-19 had to coincide with the arrival of Eid -- a crucial time of the year for retailers and shop-keepers -- saving lives and stopping this current wave before it brings more devastation should be the number one priority.