Writ seeks directive to declare lockdown in entire Dhaka city

A writ petition has been filed with the High Court seeking a directive to declare a lockdown in the entire Dhaka city to curve the spread of Covid-19 infections. 

Advocate Manzil Morshed filed the writ today with the virtual High Court in public interest.

The petition also sought a directive to collect high-flow Nasal Oxygen Cannula.

A hearing on the petition may take place next week, Advocate Manzil said. 

Secretaries to cabinet, health, finance and the Prime Minister's Office, director general of health, additional secretary (hospital) to the health ministry, additional secretary (administration), police commissioner, director general of Rapid Action Battalion and mayors of the Dhaka north and south city corporations were made defendants in the writ. 

Advocate Manzil said, "Thousands of coronavirus patients are being identified in Dhaka city. More than 1,000 people have already died. On April 18, the government formed a 17-member National Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 led by Professor Md Shahidullah. Later, considering the situation, the committee unanimously took some decisions to reduce the number of deaths at a meeting on June 8."

"The committee recommended that the Dhaka city should be completely locked down. And if not, deaths must be accepted. Area-based lockdowns will not bring any benefit," he added.

At the meeting, the consultants also opined to ensure adequate availability of high-flow nasal oxygen canals. They said that doctors are getting infected and dying. If their treatment and safety are not ensured, the health system will collapse.