The reopening of shopping malls, markets, mosques and other business establishments, experts say, is a suicidal decision as these crowded places will be the breeding grounds for the rapid spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.
Several experts opined that maintaining the 2 to 3 meter physical distance and hygiene would now be the biggest challenges to containing the spread of coronavirus across the country.
Countries mega shopping mall Bashundhara City shopping center and Jamuna Future Park authorities have declared to remain shut in this crisis considering public health.
Besides, the large numbers of congregations around the capital in roads, shops and kitchen markets are posing a grave health risk as many people are not following hygiene guidelines.
Concerning the opening of shopping malls, the director general of the health department, Prof Abul Kalam Azad said that according to the advice and recommendations of the National Technical Committee on Coronavirus, the government will be strict when it needs to be strict, and will relax when needed.
While talking to Bangladesh Post, Medicine Specialist Z M Kabir Chowdhury sounded a note of warning saying that if physical distancing is not maintained by common people, this simple mistake will turn into a disaster.
“Yes, it’s been a long-time since the general holiday has started. People have to maintain distance along with hand sanitizer, mask and gloves when they go out for emergency works, he added.”
When asked, the former director general at the Department of Health, Professor Shah Munir, said that the situation in Bangladesh could be normal by the end of June.
He also said, “Garments have already created a jeopardy. After May 12, the situation will be understood better.”
Public health expert and former Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of IEDCR Dr Mushtaq Hossain said yesterday, "In the current situation in Bangladesh, it is not possible to follow hygiene rules by keeping the shops open."
“It would be beneficial for all people if we maintain basic health guidelines. The people of our country do not want to accept the lockdown. And shops will be a terrible source of corona infection. I urge the government to consider this decision. "
In this regard, the president of the New Market Business Association, Dr Dewan Aminul Islam Shahin said, "We are following the decision of the government till now.
“Currently, the situation is getting worse every day. But we are not getting any benefit from any sector. So, we agreed for bread and butter. However, we will decide to keep the market open after talking to our executive committee.”
“We will not make any decision that harms our own, our employees and our buyers above all else. “
The appearance of the capital city Dhaka has been turning to its very own and regular look as people in large numbers throng the city streets.
Though there are still a couple of days left for the reopening of shopping malls and markets, people have started coming out of their houses spontaneously to buy less important stuff or just gossip with friends.
