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July 12, 2025

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SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2025
The dangerous rush to return home

In Focus

Sumaiya Zaman
22 May, 2020, 12:25 pm
Last modified: 16 August, 2020, 11:30 am

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The dangerous rush to return home

Experts have warned that such homebound movement can potentially cause the number of infections to multiply manifold

Sumaiya Zaman
22 May, 2020, 12:25 pm
Last modified: 16 August, 2020, 11:30 am
A man climbing a jam-packed ferry while many others wait their turns in Mawa. As people come in close contact with each other defying all social distance regulations, experts fear that the infections may rise significantly during the holidays. Photo: Mumit M
A man climbing a jam-packed ferry while many others wait their turns in Mawa. As people come in close contact with each other defying all social distance regulations, experts fear that the infections may rise significantly during the holidays. Photo: Mumit M

Thousands of people left the capital for their hometown ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr due next week. 

While most of them have left to be with friends and family during the festival, some have left the city for good amid the pandemic. 

Three adults and a child riding on a bike on the Dhaka-Munshiganj highway. The woman at the far end has no helmet and is at risk of falling off. These stunts taken by reckless home-goers usually result in fatal accidents. Photo: Mumit M
Three adults and a child riding on a bike on the Dhaka-Munshiganj highway. The woman at the far end has no helmet and is at risk of falling off. These stunts taken by reckless home-goers usually result in fatal accidents. Photo: Mumit M

The government imposed shutdowns on March 26 in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. 

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The closing down of factories, shops and all economic activities have left thousands of urban poor unemployed, penniless and hungry. 

A huge number of them have packed up their little belongings and set out for their home. 

A youth pulling a big suitcase, while four others follow him with other belongings towards the Mawa Ferry Ghat. Many people were seen walking towards the ghat due to a lack of public transports amid the ongoing lockdowns. Photo: Mumit M
A youth pulling a big suitcase, while four others follow him with other belongings towards the Mawa Ferry Ghat. Many people were seen walking towards the ghat due to a lack of public transports amid the ongoing lockdowns. Photo: Mumit M

Some are relocating from the capital after the ongoing shutdowns took away their jobs and salaries. 

In the absence of public transports, these people crammed onto pickups, trucks and motorcycles to reach their destination or at least the exit points of the capital, defying all social distance protocols. Some even set out on foot because they could not find a transport. 

On May 18, the Dhaka-Chattagram highway saw a 25km tailback as thousands of cars left the capital amid the ongoing shutdowns. 

A Dubai returnee showing his quarantine certificate to the law enforcers at the checkpost on the Dhaka-Munshiganj highway so that the lawmen would let his vehicle pass. Photo: Mumit M
A Dubai returnee showing his quarantine certificate to the law enforcers at the checkpost on the Dhaka-Munshiganj highway so that the lawmen would let his vehicle pass. Photo: Mumit M

Meanwhile, authorities had to suspend the ferry services for hours after thousands of people gathered at the Shimulia-Kathalbaria and Paturia-Daulatdia routes. As a result, these people remained stranded for hours. 

A man pulling another onboard an overcrowded ferry in Mawa. Thousands of people defied the social distance protocols and went on with the perilous journey towards their hometown ahead of Eid. Photo: Mumit M/TBS
A man pulling another onboard an overcrowded ferry in Mawa. Thousands of people defied the social distance protocols and went on with the perilous journey towards their hometown ahead of Eid. Photo: Mumit M/TBS

Experts have warned that such homebound movement can potentially cause the number of infections to multiply manifold. They have urged the authorities to restrict these movements and take necessary steps to avoid overcrowding in Eid prayers. 

Although the government published a circular on May 14 stating that no one would be allowed to leave the city where they work during the Eid holidays, it seems little was done to enforce the order.

Features / Top News

Eid / home

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