Obaidul Quader: Strict lockdown again if health rules are violated

The government will impose a "strict" lockdown again if health safety rules are not followed everywhere, the road transport and bridges minister has warned.

Obaidul Quader, also the general secretary of Awami League, made the remarks at a regular briefing from his residence in Dhaka on Sunday morning, reports UNB.

"When the public transport will be allowed to resume operations after the lockdown, everyone will have to maintain the social distancing rules strictly," said the minister.

On Saturday, Quader said the government was planning to resume public transport services once the current "strict lockdown" is over.

The government is considering the resumption of public transport services in the interest of people on condition that the health guidelines will be followed properly.

Urging everyone to follow health protocols even if the lockdown is relaxed, Quader said the use of masks and hand sanitizers will be mandatory.

Also Read - Shops, malls reopen doors amid lockdown

On May 31, the government raised the fares of all buses, including inter-district ones, by 60% as the vehicles are allowed to carry only half the passengers of the total seats to ensure social distancing amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Atiqul warns traders

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md Atiqul Islam warned that the traders will face legal action if they run shops breaching the hygiene rules amid the pandemic situation, reports Bangla Tribune.

The mayor came up with the warning on Sunday when the government allowed shops and shopping malls to reopen their doors to shoppers on a limited scale.

While talking to the media, Atiqul said that mobile courts will conduct their drives at the shops regularly.

"If they find the health safety rules are being violated, action will be taken against the traders. Their shops might be closed, if necessary, and they might be jailed or fined."

Also Read - In pictures: Shops, malls already crowded!

As Covid-19 cases continued to rise alarmingly since mid-March, the government imposed a loose nationwide lockdown for one week from April 5 as part of its move to contain the spread of the virus. 

Shopkeepers and traders waged street protests demanding the reopening of businesses, arguing that they had suffered huge losses last year during the lockdown. 

Giving in to the protests, the government then allowed them to resume their businesses on a limited scale.

Later, the government enforced an eight-day strict lockdown from April 14 to 21, which was extended until April 28.

In the meantime, the Cabinet Division issued a notice on April 23 allowing shops and shopping malls to operate from April 25 (10am-5pm) on the condition that they would maintain proper safety protocols.