It seemed like just another day.
Despite the suspension of public transit and the closure of shopping malls, the streets of Dhaka were still busy on Monday as the city prepared for a ‘strict lockdown’.
Cars, motorcycles, rickshaws and vans crowded the roads, leaving the city humming with traffic.
Police personnel were struggling to break up traffic congestion in Kakrail and Shantinagar around 10:30 am. In Shantinagar, a police officer could be heard over the megaphone telling people not to leave their homes without adequate reason, reports bdnews24.com.
“There are restrictions in place, please do not leave home,” the official was heard telling bikers.
In the midst of traffic chaos, a police sergeant fined two delinquent motorcycle drivers.
The Malibagh Twin Tower, Mouchak Market, Shantinagar Karnaphuli Shopping Mall, Paltan China Shopping Mall and other shopping places were closed around the city, but the confectionaries and department stores near Bailey Road and in Shantinagar were still open.
Rozina Iqbal, who works at the Islami Bank Hospital in Kakrail, walked to the hospital from Shantinagar, a busy neighbourhood.
“The people of Dhaka aren’t afraid at all, despite a surge in coronavirus cases,” she said. “Look at how they are taking to the streets. If this continues, the situation will only get worse,” she said.
“The government has imposed a lockdown, but people have to follow it, or else it brings danger for us all.”
In an effort to curb the alarming spread of the coronavirus throughout the country, the government ordered the suspension of all public transport, aside from freight and rickshaws, from Monday. The government also shut shopping malls, markets, tourist attractions, resorts, community centres and places of recreation. A stricter nationwide lockdown will be imposed from Jul 1.
Restaurants and hotels can stay open from 8 am to 8 pm, but cannot offer dine-in service. Private and public offices may only have a limited physical presence of staff.
The suspension of public transport was causing difficulties for commuters, many of whom were stuck in Mirpur’s Kalshi area. They waited for hours for transport because their offices have not made the necessary arrangements. Some motorcycles and a handful of cars were taking passengers, but the fares they charged were exorbitant.
“I have been stuck in Kalshi for two and a half hours now, and I can’t get anywhere,” said Ilias Hossain, an employee of Epyllion Group in Tejgaon.
“I could get to work if the autorickshaws were running, but I only see cars and motorcycles. The cars won’t take me and people are falling over themselves to get on the motorcycles, so I haven’t been able to get one.”