“Already there is a scarcity of beds, ICUs, while our health care providers are exhausted,” said Be-Nazir Ahmed, a public health expert and former chief of the government’s Health Directorate. Soldiers and border guards patrolled the streets and thousands were arrested and sent to jail for violating the lockdown. “But, in all situations people must stay alert, use face masks and strictly follow health instructions,” a government policy statement said. An official with the Ministry of Public Administration, which issued the order pausing the lockdown, referred The Associated Press to the policy statement when asked for comment. During the last major Islamic festival in May, an estimated 10 million of Dhaka’s 20 million residents left to celebrate with their families.

Source: The Hindu July 19, 2021 04:18 UTC