Lockdown is a must to contain coronavirus

The first step to contain coronavirus is to ensure social distancing. However, we were very late to implement this. A general holiday was announced without restricting vehicular movement, which let millions the scope to leave Dhaka. Then readymade garment workers were made to return to the capital as they were told the factories would open on 5 April. On both occasions, millions came in contact with millions. The general public were ordered to remain indoors, but they did not listen.

However, a number of steps have been taken now. The shops have been asked to operate only during certain times while people have been told to say their prayers at home. However, still some people are roaming around for no good reason.

Meanwhile, experts have opined that the country has stepped into the final stage of the disease. The increasing number of deaths and detected cases tell us community transmission has started. If we fail to ensure social distancing now, it would result in an epidemic.

To address the problem, we all have to stay indoors. We do not have any other alternative but to ensure a lockdown. People have not been taking it seriously, which is evident at their movement outside. The government failed to raise awareness among the public in the initial stages, but now we cannot afford any more mistakes.

We have to ensure lockdown in all the places. We need to find ways to implement them. People need to know why it is dangerous to go out. Not only through the mass media, such awareness campaigns have to be mobilized at the community level, too. Many have been suggesting curfew be enforced and may be this is time to give that option a thought.

However, we should also keep in mind how the poor will survive this lockdown. Steps should be taken to ensure that they get food everyday. Volunteers can go from door to door with food and essentials and mobile banking facilities can be used to send them money as well. But the decisions need to be taken immediately.