Social distancing gets ignored
Many people are coming out of homes without any plausible reason
A large number of people are now ignoring the instructions for social distancing to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Visiting several spots in the capital on Wednesday, this correspondent saw an increasing number of vehicles on the roads.
Most of them had been brought out without any pressing reason. They were out just for exploring empty roads or just for hanging out.
Apart from the main roads, most alleys and lanes across the city turned into gathering spots. Youths and middle-aged people were frequently staying and chilling out.
At least 10 youths gathered at a place near the Panthapath signal yesterday afternoon. They were chilling and smoking cigarettes, scrolling down mobile phones amid the countrywide shutdown.
They said they had nothing to do at home. "That is why we have gathered here to chill out," one of them said.
After a few minutes, the youths left the place when a patrol team of police arrived.
Jahidul Islam, assistant commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Motijheel zone, told The Business Standard most people are aware of the instructions about staying home during the crisis period.
"Apart from this, a large number of people are coming out of their homes without any plausible reason. We have found at least one in every three people at several check posts during the last two days, who had no valid reason to come out of their homes," he added.
At around 2pm yesterday, two youths were asked to get down from a rickshaw at Kakrail intersection.
They told police that they were going to Baily road to have a pizza. The youths asked the police to explain why did they had been stopped on an empty road.
"How we can make them understand that it is not the time to explore or hang out with friends at restaurants," said Jahidul.
Besides, relief distribution spots became crowded at different places in the city.
This correspondent found crowds of around 100 people in at least three places in Maniknagar, Kathalbagan and Badda, increasing the risk of coronavirus transmission.
At Merul Badda, a local charity was distributing essential items without maintaining the social distancing rule of at least three feet necessary to avoid spread of the virus.
Refatul Islam, assistant commissioner of Ramna Traffic zone, said he saw scene and then requested the people to keep at least three feet apart.
Around 1:30pm, DMP's Ramna division set up a check post on Dilu Road in Moghbazar and found at least 25 vehicles in which people could not give a valid reason for coming out of their homes.
Abdulla-Hil Kafi, an additional deputy commissioner of Ramna division, said people now do not take the crisis seriously.
"After seeing a low number of coronavirus cases, a large number of people think that nothing will happen," he added.
Our correspondent from Jashore reported that a motorcycle hit Assistant Commissioner (land) Kazi Nazib Hasan in the district when he along with law enforcers were trying to prevent gatherings at Godkhali Bazar in Jhikargacha upazila on Wednesday afternoon.
With severe injuries on his leg, head and abdomen, Nazib was taken to the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka, his colleague Rasna Sharmin told The Busniess Standard.
She also said around 100 people gathered after being informed that the AC (land) was requesting people to leave the area immediately.
At that time, two youths on motorcycle hit Nazib while they were speeding away.
"They fled away, leaving the bike on the spot. That is the response from the common people," Rasna Sharmin added.