Main roads and streets in several places in Dhaka saw notable rise in traffic on Thursday morning despite presence of armed forces.
The city is undergoing government shutdown since March 26 in an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus.
While traffic declined heavily during most of the holidays, it made a return of sorts this morning, with law enforcement officials struggling to control it at some locations.
Pragati Sarani road near Kuril Biswaroad area experienced severe traffic after 10am.
Ahasan Jewel, senior reporter of a private television channel, posted a video and photograph of this area, showing huge traffic gridlock. “It’s a severe traffic jam on the road. Obviously, people have to pay their indemnities,” he said.
Many people could be seen in the Modhubagh area near Hatirjheel, going about their business. Many of them were wearing masks or gloves, but were failing to maintain enough distance from each other to conform to the coronavirus guidelines.
Abdul Karim, a grocery shop owner said: “I closed the shop after the announcement of shut down from the government last month. But I needed to re-open it as I am concerned about my financial situation.”
Md Kawsar, a day labourer, said he was forced to come out to find work as his livelihood depends on it.
Crowds and queues could be seen in Panthapath that were violating social distancing guidelines.
A small crowd could also be seen near the fish market in Karwan Bazar.
This Old Dhaka street saw higher foot traffic on April 2, 2020, compared to past week, amid a government-enforced nationwide soft shutdown aimed to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus | Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka TribuneHowever, law enforcers and, in some places, armed forces were trying to keep the situation under control.
They were seen enforcing shutdown in several places including Jhigatola and Kalabagan.
Moumi Khondoker, an employee of a private commercial bank, was stopped on the road while going to her office at Dilkusha from Modhubagh.
“I had to hire rickshaw twice as I was barred in the middle of the road. Law enforcers have taken strict position in the streets,” she said.
The sight of armed forces also prompted many shopkeepers to close their shops out of fear.
Earlier on Wednesday, the armed forces declared that that its members would resort to tough action from Thursday against people not maintaining social distancing guidelines and violating home quarantine rules.
"The army will strictly ensure social distancing and home quarantine in all parts of the country. Strict action will be taken against those who disobey instructions issued by the government,” said Director of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate Lt Col Abdullah Ibn Zayed in a written statement.
The coronavirus epidemic has so far caused 54 infections and six deaths in Bangladesh. The government responded to the outbreak by announcing a shutdown to prevent spread of the virus.
