Residents stay indoors, streets wear deserted look in port city
The restrictions announced by the government have been strictly enforced in residential areas of Chattogram as well as on main roads.
The streets of Chattogram city sported a deserted look on the first day of the 7-day nationwide lockdown.
On Wednesday morning, after visiting some areas of Chattogram city, no public transports were seen on the road, except a few rickshaws and private cars.
All the offices, public transport are closed during this lockdown. However the factories, banks and emergency services are open.
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The restrictions announced by the government have been strictly enforced in residential areas of Chattogram as well as on main roads.
Government, semi-government, autonomous and private offices are closed. Almost all types of shops, markets and shopping malls are closed except a few food stalls on the main roads. City dwellers are not leaving their homes without any urgent need.
Due to the public transport closure, the factory authorities have been ordered to provide transportation to their employees. However, many garment workers could not avail the service due to shortage of vehicles. Some workers were huddled in auto rickshaws which increases the risk of contracting the Coronavirus.
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mominur Rahman told The Business Standard, "The government has strictly directed the implementation of the lockdown. Members of the civil administrations and law enforcement agencies are on the streets to implement the restrictions."
Same scenario was seen in Gazipur city.
Although long-distance buses and minibuses have not been playing on different routes since morning, emergency services including freight trucks, lorries and pickups have been running in Gazipur area. Besides, rickshaws, CNG run auto rickshaws and light vehicles were seen moving on the roads. Police are working on the highway to implement the lockdown.
On Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Tangail highways, low income people were seen traveling long distances by CNG-run auto-rickshaws, battery-powered auto-rickshaws, easy bikes and other light vehicles.
