ED: Lockdown has been lifted, but let’s remember that Covid is not gone

After over a month, the strict lockdown measures have been lifted, easing the strict restrictions on public movement across the country. This means that businesses, offices, banks, financial institutions, and markets, along with mass transportation, will now resume once again.  

However, it would be a gross mistake to think that this means that we have left the worst of Covid-19 behind us. In fact, with Bangladesh recording its highest number of daily deaths and daily infections earlier this week, we remain in the midst of this deadly wave, where over 200 daily deaths have become the norm.  

As such, the ease of restrictions means that we could be in for a disaster and as experts have rightfully noted, there is genuine risk that the Covid situation in the country could turn for the worse and result in further spikes over subsequent weeks.  

As per the WHO, restrictions are only recommended to be lifted if infection rates are below 5% whereas Bangladesh’s infection rates continue to hover around 25%.

 Therefore, while the authorities concerned have their work cut out for them to continue to spread awareness amongst the general public with regard to vaccination and to vaccinate the country at large, the general public also has a civic duty to abide by the Covid safety protocol, now more than ever.  

This means that wearing masks, regularly washing hands, and above all, maintaining social distancing and avoiding crowding at indoor gatherings are more important now than at any other time. We are a long way from beating this pandemic, but it is only through responsible behaviour, together with mass vaccination, that will we be able to.