Wari to go under lockdown from Saturday following East Rajabazar’s success

After getting a positive result from imposing a lockdown on the East Rajabazar area to curb the novel coronavirus, the authority will implement a 21-day-lockdown on red zones of Ward-41's Wari area from 6.00am on Saturday.

With the clearance of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Tuesday announced the decision. 

He said the DGHS has specifically identified a few roads in the Wari zone. 

These are –Tipu Sultan Road, Jahangir Road, Dhaka-Sylhet Highway ( Joykali Temple to Balda garden) and Larmini street, Hare street, War street, Rankin street and Nawab street.

The lockdown will be implemented by the DSCC's Central Management Committee.

Taposh said, "Only two roads will have commuting facilities and we will block the entrances to other roads. A control room will be opened in the area." 

He also said, "There will be booths for collecting samples and an isolation center for patients will be set up at the City Corporation's Dhaka Mohanagar General Hospital."

The DSCC mayor added that they will work on the basis of the experience gathered from the lockdown on East Rajabazar, and there will be all kinds of measures to ensure the treatment of common patients.

Earlier on June 10, the East Rajabazar area was put under lockdown on a pilot basis to curb the spread of Covid-19. 

At that time there were 31 confirmed Covid-19 patients, and later the number went up to 55. 

But after 21-days of strict restrictions on people's movement, East Rajabazar has become an example of containing the spread of deadly virus effectively.  

The authority lifted the lockdown from the area at 10:00pm on Tuesday. 

He also claimed that there is no Covid-19 patient in the area now. 

Local Ward Councillor Faridur Rahman Khan said 35 Covid-19 patients recovered 14 days after imposing the lockdown and eight more patients recovered by the 18th day of enforcing restriction. 

Remaining patients also tested negative for the novel coronavirus in their second test. Now, they are waiting for their final test. 

"However, the next way forward will be taken in a meeting with the DGHS and the city corporation officials," he added

A hard job done 

Enforcing lockdown for 21 days on East Rajabazar area – where around 50,000 people live – was not an easy task as people face different situations and issues at every moment.  

However, a combined work plan and sufficient preparation made this possible, said an official of the DGHS. 

Providing free food for insolvent residents, arranging online shopping facility and running tests in that particular area were included in the planning.    

Thanks to the city corporation, local representative, Health Service Division, a2i of the ICT division's relentless effort, the virus's spread in the area was curbed. 

Volunteers fought hard

Local youths and volunteers deserve a big applause for ensuring the lockdown measures in East Rajabazar by fulfilling every demand of residents of the area. 

They were always ready to respond to their neighbours' calls. These young enthusiasts supplied everything from food, medicine and daily essentials to refreshing items like ice cream to people's doorsteps. 

It has been widely reported that some residents made some odd demands even at midnight during the lockdown period. 

Way forward 

After lifting the lockdown restriction, East Rajabazar will go under further observation. 

Faridur said the people's movement and businesses in the area will not be opened fully. Rather, the shops in the locality will be closed after 4:00pm and the day to day development of the situation will be strictly observed. 

Unnecessary gathering and outing around the area will be monitored in upcoming days.