Some 4.28 lakh people are currently in isolation at Shibchar upazila in Madaripur district as the government on Thursday took a decision to lock down the 239.14 square kilometer area of the upazila to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The government said particular areas would be under lockdown given the coronavirus situation worsens there. The government identified Faridpur and Madaripur, especially Shibchar upazila in Madaripur, as vulnerable areas since most of the people in quarantine and coronavirus patients came from those areas.
Though thousands of the residents of Shibchar upazila are passing a critical period, they welcomed the government decision of locking down the area to prevent coronavirus outbreak.
“We are facing various difficulties due to the lockdown but we welcome the government decision in a bid to make people in other parts of the country aware about coronavirus,” said Saiful Islam, a resident of the upazila.
Speaking to The Independent, Rezaul Karim Bhuiyan, another resident of the area said, “We are in isolation since Thursday but it is very difficult to stay home all day long. However, we will have to accept the government instructions.”
Some residents in the area said they have been facing financial crisis due to the isolation and were leading a measurable life as they had no cash.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Shibchar, Md Asaduzzaman, told this correspondent that residents of the upazila were strictly following government instructions. Earlier, on Saturday local administration deployed around 250 policemen in the area to make sure none of the local residents leaves their neighborhoods. Public transports had already been banned and locals were requested to avoid public gatherings.
Police in the area regularly inspect whether the residents are following home quarantine guidelines or not. They also check price hikes of essential commodities.
Talking to the media Deputy Commissioner Wahidul Islam of Madaripur on Saturday said “It cannot be termed a lockdown. We have isolated some areas in Shibchar. It means we have restricted public movement in those areas to prevent infection.”
The areas are Pachar, Bahertola, and ward-2 and 3 of Shibchar municipality.
“No one will be outside without a valid reason. Shops, except for the ones selling daily essentials and drugs have been shut. Only one member from each family will be allowed to leave home to buy essential items if necessary,” Wahidul Islam said.
As per international practice, during a lockdown people are barred from leaving home except for buying food items or other essentials. They must carry a special document certifying why they were outside.
Upazila Health and Family Planning office sources said, 72 people who recently returned to the area from different countries were asked to be in home quarantine. Six others were kept in isolation at Upazila Health Complex and Madaripur General Hospital.
Earlier, the all the educational institutions were closed and the travellers from European countries except Britain were barred from entering the country to prevent the outbreak the novel virus.
The health ministry said that the coronavirus situation was still under control as the government was relentlessly working on the issue for the past two months.