People still indifferent, averse to following health rules
Officials go easy on people on first day of Covid restrictions
People riding bus without maintaining social distancing amid Covid surge in Dhaka on Thursday, January 13, 2021 Mahmud Hossain Opu
Kamrul Hasan
Publish : 14 Jan 2022, 12:16 AMUpdate : 14 Jan 2022, 12:16 AM
Azizur Rahman, a transport owner, was heading towards West Kafrul on Thursday when he saw a mobile court conducting its work in the area. Soon after seeing it, he wore a mask, bringing it out of his pocket.
However, Magistrate Abed Ali, zonal executive officer (Zone 4) of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), who was conducting regular drives at the area, let several people go after giving them light warnings about wearing masks all the time they remain away from home.
“We all are well aware of the current situation and for me punishing them on the first day might be very harsh. So, I distributed some masks to the people I saw without them and served the warning to them,” said Abed.
Mobile courts did not conduct activities in several zones of DNCC, such as Zone 4, mostly for having other regular operations or campaigns in the areas. Similar information came from Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) as well.
Dhaka city corporations’ officers said they had been asked to ensure wearing masks by all. Besides, they were also asked to oversee if all the stakeholders were implementing the restrictions imposed from Thursday.
Although some went soft on the first day, many started their duty from the very first day of the newly imposed restrictions.
According to the restrictions, trains, buses and launches will carry passengers at half capacity.
However, the transport leaders on Wednesday evening informed the media that within 48 hours of the decision, the government had changed it and allowed a single passenger against a seat. No one should be allowed to remain standing on the bus.
Without a vaccine certificate, any student aged over 12 will not be allowed to attend in-person classes after the specific timeframe set by the Ministry of Education.
The restrictions also include having Covid-19 vaccine certificates to go visit restaurants or stay at hotels.
The mobile court at Shahbagh area, led by Executive Magistrate of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Dr Sanjib Das, handed down fines to several people for not wearing masks.
He said that 11 people were fined Tk2,550 on the first day of the restrictions. Besides, 20 people were let go after they were given a warning. “Buses will be brought under monitoring as well from Saturday.”
Taposh Shil, executive magistrate of DNCC, conducted a mobile court at Uttara area, where he imposed fines amounting to Tk5,500 on around 30 people.
The reporter while visiting Mohammadpur, Mohakhali and Karwan Bazar area saw many instances of people being fined from Tk50 to Tk100, depending on the severity of their infractions.
The bus drivers, helpers and conductors were seen keeping the masks on their chins but they wore them properly when they noticed any mobile court.
Lalon Ali, helper of a bus at Gabtoli area of Mirpur, said it was difficult to put on a mask all the time. But as per rules, he has to wear it, especially when he encounters any mobile court.
“You can see many people sitting inside the bus who have masks but keep them in their pockets. You cannot educate the educated persons but put pressure on us,” he complained.
Abed Ali said people were afraid that mobile courts might punish them if they did not wear masks.
“The magistrates might go easy at the beginning but their first day activities are also creating awareness among them. Soon, none will be spared as they will have been given enough time to learn about the measures by then,” he warned.
People still indifferent, averse to following health rules
Officials go easy on people on first day of Covid restrictions
Azizur Rahman, a transport owner, was heading towards West Kafrul on Thursday when he saw a mobile court conducting its work in the area. Soon after seeing it, he wore a mask, bringing it out of his pocket.
However, Magistrate Abed Ali, zonal executive officer (Zone 4) of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), who was conducting regular drives at the area, let several people go after giving them light warnings about wearing masks all the time they remain away from home.
“We all are well aware of the current situation and for me punishing them on the first day might be very harsh. So, I distributed some masks to the people I saw without them and served the warning to them,” said Abed.
Mobile courts did not conduct activities in several zones of DNCC, such as Zone 4, mostly for having other regular operations or campaigns in the areas. Similar information came from Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) as well.
Dhaka city corporations’ officers said they had been asked to ensure wearing masks by all. Besides, they were also asked to oversee if all the stakeholders were implementing the restrictions imposed from Thursday.
Although some went soft on the first day, many started their duty from the very first day of the newly imposed restrictions.
According to the restrictions, trains, buses and launches will carry passengers at half capacity.
However, the transport leaders on Wednesday evening informed the media that within 48 hours of the decision, the government had changed it and allowed a single passenger against a seat. No one should be allowed to remain standing on the bus.
Without a vaccine certificate, any student aged over 12 will not be allowed to attend in-person classes after the specific timeframe set by the Ministry of Education.
The restrictions also include having Covid-19 vaccine certificates to go visit restaurants or stay at hotels.
The mobile court at Shahbagh area, led by Executive Magistrate of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Dr Sanjib Das, handed down fines to several people for not wearing masks.
He said that 11 people were fined Tk2,550 on the first day of the restrictions. Besides, 20 people were let go after they were given a warning. “Buses will be brought under monitoring as well from Saturday.”
Taposh Shil, executive magistrate of DNCC, conducted a mobile court at Uttara area, where he imposed fines amounting to Tk5,500 on around 30 people.
The reporter while visiting Mohammadpur, Mohakhali and Karwan Bazar area saw many instances of people being fined from Tk50 to Tk100, depending on the severity of their infractions.
The bus drivers, helpers and conductors were seen keeping the masks on their chins but they wore them properly when they noticed any mobile court.
Lalon Ali, helper of a bus at Gabtoli area of Mirpur, said it was difficult to put on a mask all the time. But as per rules, he has to wear it, especially when he encounters any mobile court.
“You can see many people sitting inside the bus who have masks but keep them in their pockets. You cannot educate the educated persons but put pressure on us,” he complained.
Abed Ali said people were afraid that mobile courts might punish them if they did not wear masks.
“The magistrates might go easy at the beginning but their first day activities are also creating awareness among them. Soon, none will be spared as they will have been given enough time to learn about the measures by then,” he warned.
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