DHAKA, May 30, 2020 (BSS) – Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul
Quader today warned that stern action would be taken against those who do not
follow the health guidelines during the movement of public transportation
amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
He issued the warning while speaking at a view-exchange meeting through
videoconferencing from his official residence here.
Bangladesh Road Transportation Authority (BRTC) held the view-exchange
meeting with transport owners and workers at its Banani office in the city.
Quader, also Awami League General Secretary, said: “The BRTC imposed
conditions on the movement of public transport and I urge all the passengers,
transport owners and workers to meet the conditions properly.”
He said once all concerned follow the conditions, the passengers’ safety
could be ensued amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Action would be taken against the public transports which fail to follow
the government’s instructions, he said.
The road transport and bridges minister said the public and private offices
are going to reopen tomorrow, while the movement of public transports will
resume on June 1 next.
“We continue discussion with transport owners and workers and other
stakeholders concerned, and all have agreed to follow health guidelines
properly…a little negligence may cause havoc,” he added.
Stressing the need for forming terminal-based monitoring teams and
introducing counselling for transport drivers and helpers, Quader said
apart from the government’s surveillance, the BRTC’s mobile teams will
also remain functional.
He urged the bus terminal authorities to clean up terminal areas
with disinfectants to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
Highlighting the government’s conditions in plying vehicles amid
COVID-19 crisis, the road transport and bridges minister said 50
percent seats of a bus must remain vacant and passengers must maintain
social distancing while getting in or down from a bus.
He said all passengers, bus drivers, helpers and counter workers
must use masks.
Quader said spraying disinfectant in a bus must be made mandatory
before and after a trip, and buses could not be allowed to stop
haphazardly without designated stoppages.
He said adequate hand-washing arrangements and hand sanitisers must
be kept at bus terminals and stations so that passengers can clean up
their hands.
The AL general secretary said Bangladesh ranked 22nd out of 215
coronavirus affected countries and regions, fearing that more terrible
days are coming to this end.
Despite the worst COVID-19 situation, he said, many countries
relaxed lockdown considering overall situation. “And many countries
withdrew lockdown. Apart from protecting lives, this time the
country’s economy should be protected,” he added.
Calling upon the leaders and workers of opposition parties to stand
by people and not to criticise the government amid the coronavirus
pandemic , Quader said: “We have to keep trust in the decisions took
by the prime minister in this hard time…there is no reason to be
frustrated”.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is always beside you in this crisis.
By the grace of Allah and cooperation from all, one day we will turn
around the situation,” he added.