Despite the month-long shutdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, people are still ignoring the government’s directives.
Meanwhile the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Thursday said that the whole country is now at risk of transmission of the virus.
Under the current situation, public movement across the country has been restricted strictly from 6pm to 6am. Actions would be taken for violating the rules, the DGHS also said.
Experts say the law enforcement agencies now need to take a hardline approach to ensure social distancing in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
Although the administration has repeatedly requested people not to go out without urgent need, many are still not heeding to it.
Lockdowns have been imposed in many countries to control the spread of the virus. Similarly, in Bangladesh, the first phase of the shutdown was initiated from March 26 to April 4 which was later extended in phases.
Currently, almost 30 districts are in partial or total lockdown, according to government officials.
But the reality is different in the capital and some other parts of the country. People are still gathering at marketplaces and not maintaining social distancing.
Mirpur currently has the highest number of confirmed cases in Dhaka city with around 11%. But people in the area are still found to be roaming around freely.
At present, daily labourers are receiving food support through government initiatives, but if the lockdown continues, can it solve the problems in the long run, questioned experts.
In countries of the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, they imposed curfews for certain periods but the authorities, during that time, took necessary steps to provide essential food and other items.
DGHS Additional Director General (Add DG-admin) Nasima Sultana said although Dhaka city is severely affected we are observing that many people are breaching government order to stay at home and are roaming the streets.
She said staying home is the only effective method to stop coronavirus spread.
Ehteshamul Huq Chowdhury, Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) secretary-general said people of the country either panic or ignore the devastating consequences of the disease.
Tougher action is needed to keep everyone at home, he added.
