The government has ordered suspension of transport operation across the country in an effort to contain further spread of coronavirus, which has so far affected at least 39 people and claimed four lives in Bangladesh. Operation of all domestic flights and plying of all passenger vessels and trains has been shut for an indefinite period from Tuesday while movement of road transports will remain suspended for 10 days from tomorrow (Thursday).
“Movement of passenger buses and flights across the country will remain suspended from March 26 to April 4,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Tuesday noon in a video message from the Secretariat. However, he said, covered vans and vehicles carrying medicines, fuels and all other goods would remain outside the purview of the transport suspension. Goods-carrying vehicles would not be allowed to carry passengers, he added.
“Vessels, including launches, will not be allowed to ply from Tuesday afternoon,” said Md Jahangir Alam Khan, senior Information and Public Relations Officer of the shipping ministry. The restriction will remain in place until further notice, he said adding that cargo vessels will, however, operate as usual.
Services of all 359 passenger trains -- local, mail and intercity -- have been closed from Tuesday morning until further notice, said Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan, adding that movement of around 20 freight trains will continue. Top government sources said movement of all inbound and outbound flights will also be suspended for 10 days from March 26.
The decision of flight suspension was taken to control the transmission of coronavirus, Senior Secretary to Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry Mohibul Haque told UNB over phone. Bangladesh on Monday declared general holidays from March 26 to April 4 to prevent transmission of coronavirus.
Besides, armed forces have been deployed in the divisional and district towns from Tuesday to aid the civil administration maintain social distancing and strengthen the coronavirus preventive measures. Earlier on March 17, Bangladesh closed all educational institutions until March 31.
The global death toll from coronavirus or Covid-19 reached 16,510 as of Tuesday -- a mortality rate of 14 percent. The virus has so far infected 378,842 people, according to worldometer. Of them, 260,268 are currently being treated and 12,062 are in serious or critical condition. Bangladesh announced its fourth coronavirus death and six new cases on Tuesday, taking the number of cases to 39 in the country.
