ZCZC
BSS-14
KHULNA-LOCKDOWN (with photo)
3 areas in Khulna go under lockdown
KHULNA, June 26, 2020 (BSS) – The local administration put two wards of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and one union of Rupsha upazila, identified by the government as red zones in terms of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, under 21-day lockdown from 12.01am today (last midnight).
The decision regarding lockdown was taken at an emergency meeting of district coronavirus prevention committee on Monday (June 22).
The ward no 17 and 24 of Khulna City Corporation and Aichgati union of Rupsha upazila came under the red zone on June 22.
The lockdown will remain effective from 12.01 am on June 26 to 11.59 pm on July 16. There will be general holidays in those areas from June 26 to July 16.
To implement the lockdown, roads were barricaded at 24 points in ward 17 and 30 points in Ward 24 of KCC.
In addition, the movement of vehicles has been stopped at 10 points in the Aichgati Union of Rupsha upazila.
A warning campaign is continuing in those areas to prevent anyone going outside from residence.
Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) Commissioner has asked the cops to be more stringent in the face of the lockdown.
“The red zone will be heavily tightened,” said Sardar Rokybul Islam, additional police commissioner of the KMP.
To make the lockdown successful, he said, the barricades have been placed at the entrances of 48 points of Ward 17 and 24. No outsiders will be allowed to go inside and no resident will be allowed to go outside. Police will keep a close watch on the area.
Earlier, on June 23, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a gazette notification announcing general holiday in three areas earmarked by the government as red zones in Khulna.
The general holiday will be applicable to the officials and employees working at all the government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, statutory and non-government offices as well as organizations in these areas.
The emergency utility services will remain out of the purview of the holiday, the gazette said.
“The entire district will not be put under lockdown this time. Only the three areas, which have been marked as red zones, will come under the restrictions,” said Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md. Helal Hossain.
During the lockdown, some rules will have to be followed strictly by the people. Sonadanga Bus Terminal, Khulna Medical College Hospital, kitchen markets and West Zone Power Distribution Company will remain out of the purview of the lockdown, he said.
Pharmacies would be open for 24 hours while only grocery shops can run activities till 4 pm. Other shops would be shut down.
All shopping malls of the lockdown areas will remain open for three days every week (Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday) from 10am to 5pm during the period.
Red flags will be hoisted atop houses of COVID-19 patients and the public have to wear masks.
All kinds of public transport and banks would be closed at the red zones, but ATM booths would be open.
A public notification has been issued in this regard yesterday from the Khulna DC office.
BSS/ZH/GA/1436hrs