Dhaka virtually became a city of ghosts on Friday as the ongoing hard lockdown coupled with consistent rainfall forced its residents to stay indoors.
On the second day of the weeklong nationwide strict restrictions on people movement to contain the quick spread of coronavirus here, most of the streets were found almost empty, giving a haunted look to the densely-populated busy city.
Although there were fewer vehicles on the main roads on Friday compared to those on Thursday, rickshaws were seen plying many streets.
Public transport remained suspended in compliance with the government directives to enforce lockdown across the country as part of the Covid-19 curbing strategy.
Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people at check posts set up in different areas of Dhaka.
Because of the lesser presence of people and transport, law enforcers, including army and BGB personnel posted at various points to prevent violations of lockdown rules, were also seen passing a relaxed time on the day, compared to Thursday.
A police officer posted at Malibagh said there were a small number of people on the streets -- the majority of them could show valid reasons for their non-compliance with the lockdown rules.
"I think the strict movement of the law enforcers to implement the lockdown coupled with the heavy rain helped keep people indoors," he said.
On the other hand, there were some people who came out into the city streets unnecessarily and faced legal actions.
According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), a total of 320 people were detained on the second day for breaching the lockdown rules, while 208 others faced financial penalties.
Meanwhile, the DMP traffic division sued some 219 vehicles for violation of traffic rules and flouting Covid restrictions. It also realised more than Tk 0.5 million in fines.
The kitchen markets remained open but there was little trading as the capital was heavily drenched due to heavy showers.
Even the rickshaw-pullers could not earn a satisfactory income on the day due to the insignificant number of people on the roads.
"I earned Tk 800 on Thursday (first day of lockdown). But today it has been only Tk 300," Jalil, a rickshaw-puller, told the FF in the Kamalapur area of the city on Friday afternoon.
On the other hand, restaurants were selling food on the delivery system only -- no dine-in services were allowed.
"We sell food items only through a delivery system. We are not allowing customers to take food sitting inside," said a hotel owner at Fakirapool Bazar.
