“No mask no entry” policy enforced at Narayanganj river port
Each of the passengers have to buy tickets wearing masks and maintaining social distance and have to go through disinfection tunnels before boarding on launches that take them to their desired destinations
Launch owner have started to operate their water vessels from Narayanganj river port to 5 different routes of the country enforcing no mask no entry" policy for passengers.
Each of the passengers have to buy tickets wearing masks and maintaining social distance and have to go through disinfection tunnels before boarding on launches that take them to their desired destinations.
Thermal scanners have been set up at the entry points of the port so that no passengers can board the launches with higher than normal temperatures to prevent coronavirus infections.
Bangladesh inland water transport authority (BIWTA) officials are rigorously monitoring the activities of the passengers and have taken various initiatives to generate awareness among the people.
Joint Director of Narayanganj BIWTA Masud Kamal said, "No mask no entry policy is in full effect at the Narayanganj river port."
We are currently monitoring the thermal scanners, usage of disinfection tunnels and social distancing measures that have been taken at the river port.", added Masud.
The BIWTA authorities said that 62 small and large launches hare operating in Shariatpur, Chandpur, Homna, Munshiganj and 5 other routes of the country from the Narayanganj river port.
More than 5000 passengers travel these routes via launches from Narayanganj everyday but due to the coronavirus situation of the country there are less passengers than usual.
But despite the awareness activities and no mask no entry policy in the port, a lack of awareness has been noticed among the passengers that are currently using the port services.
Many of the passengers did wear their masks while coming to the port, many of them took off their masks after boarding the launches.
Many of the passengers coming to Narayanganj from other districts did not wear masks as well.
But the port authorities have maintained the no mask no entry policy and did not sell tickets to passengers who did not have their masks on. Many of them were sent back as well.
Only the passengers who had their masks on could purchase tickets and the launch owners' association is aiding the BIWTA officials in charge to maintain the new policy enforced.