The ongoing strict lockdown has been extended for another five days till August 10 to curb the rise of deadly Coronavirus. Bus, launch and train services will resume from August 11 and businesses including shops will also reopen that time. However, rotation system will be followed in the case of public transport. The driver of the vehicle and his assistant and passengers over the age of 18 should have the Covid vaccination card with them.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the government on Tuesday with Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Haque in the chair.
Responding to a question from reporters about the launch of public transport, the minister said, “Public transport will run from August 11. However, these will continue in the rotation system. Vehicles of more than one company operate on one route. Owners will run one company bus a day. However, the driver of each vehicle and his assistant and all passengers above the age of 18 must have a Covid-19 vaccination card.”
Regarding the rotation system, Mozammel Haque said, “Suppose 100 vehicles come to Dhaka from Gazipur every day. From here, 30 or 50 vehicles will run instead of 100 every day. Which vehicles run today will not run tomorrow. The others will continue. The local administration will fix this in consultation with transport owners and worker leaders.”
Replying to another question, the minister said, “Launches, steamer and trains would run in the same rotation mode. Authorities will determine them (vehicle movement) and inform the public. As the Railway used to operate at 10 trains, now it will operate five. The concerned ministries and departments will inform the people exactly what will be operate at what time and how so that the passengers do not have to face any difficulty or embarrassment.”
