Bus, Train, Launch Services to Be Halted If Corona Situation Worsens: Ministers

The government will consider halting bus, train and launch services in the country if the coronavirus situation worsens as public transit and large gatherings, face a strong danger forCovid-19 transmission, said ministers.

Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan said they have taken several precautionary steps to avoid the spread of deadly coronavirus at trains and railway stations as per Health Ministry directives. "When the crisis grows worse, the government can take steps for a certain time to interrupt rail services," he told.

Passenger body temperature is being tested at the country's major railway stations, including Kamalapur, Airport, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet, he said before reaching those stations.

Railway workers and physicists perform the passenger inspection, the minister added.

Besides, conservancy workers are cleaning seats and handles of all trains before passengers embark those, he said, acknowledging the shortage of medicines for disinfecting train bogies. “We’ll talk to the Health Ministry in this regard.”

Passengers are requested to use masks during journeys and authorities concerned are making an announcement through loudspeakers for creating awareness about coronavirus, Sujan said.

Contacted, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader said preventive steps were taken in compliance with Health Ministry guidelines and bus owners were advised to obey the guidelines. "Bus owners were told before those transporting travelers to disinfect buses," he added.

In reaction to a question on stopping inter-district bus service, the minister said that if appropriate, necessary measures would be taken.

Mentioning the diminishing bus passengers in the middle of coronavirus concerns, he said, "Now, because of the scenario, the amount would inevitably decline. If required, we'll take more action.'

Enayet Ullah, Secretary-General of the Bangladesh Transport Owners ' Association, said that all inter-district buses have stored hand sanitizers and tissue papers in compliance with government orders so that passengers may use them before they enter vehicles.

State Secretary for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said they have been running an awareness drive for the last month at all river ports, launches and steamers around the country and leaflets are also being circulated to increase consciousness of coronavirus.

Medical teams operate at both launches and steamers, he added, adding that launches and steamers owners have been requested to take steps in this regard.

"We are actually prohibiting citizens to fly with launches and steamers and if the condition gets worse, the flow of all river vessels will be stopped," the minister of state said.

Minister of Health Zahid Maleque said that people were told not to fly via public transport if they had a rash, cough, and cold.

All related agencies were told to take steps to disinfect public transport, and passengers were recommended to use a hand sanitizer to clean their hands before embarking on trip.

Meanwhile, the death toll from coronavirus or Covid-19 has reached 8,967 globally as of Thursday. It has so far infected 219,240 people around the world, according to worldometer.

Three more people were tested positive for coronavirus(Covid-19) in the country on Thursday, raising the total number of corona cases to 17.

Additionally, on Wednesday, officials reported the country's first death from coronavirus.

Source: UNB