The number of people and vehicles continued to increase on the streets in Dhaka on Saturday violating the Covid restrictions while many of the police check-posts were not operated properly.

The violation of the restrictions imposed by the government on public movement and business activities to contain the surge in Covid infections has increased since the government on August 3 announced that the curbs were extended to August 10 and would be eased from August 11.

Traffic congestions were seen at various points in the capital, including Shahbagh, Bijoy Sarani intersection, Farmgate, Panthapath and Airport Road while a large number of people were seen roaming outside without wearing masks.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police on Saturday said that they had arrested 342 people in the capital for violating the Covid restrictions.

Several mobile courts, aided by DMP personnel, fined 171 people Tk 48,450 while the DMP’s traffic department realised Tk 10,90,500 in fines from 492 vehicles for violating restrictions, according to a DMP press release.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police executive magistrate Rofiqul Hoque while conducting a mobile court at Azimpur bus stand fined a number of people for not wearing masks.

He said that they had fined ‘educated people’ for not wearing masks and distributed masks among poor people like rickshaw pullers.

A good number of shops reopened at various places, including Uttara, Mirpur, Mohamamdpur, Khilkhet and Azimpur. 

Crowd of people were seen in various kitchen markets in areas like Azimpur, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Hatirpool and Khilkhet.

On the other hand, a huge number of people were seen returning to Dhaka on foot and on rickshaws, pick-up vans and vans through Abdullahpur on Saturday while the check-posts at the entry points were not operating properly.

Uttara Division traffic inspector Pannu at a check-post at House Building at Uttara said that they were not going hard against people who had returned to the capital and were walking to their destinations with their luggage.

‘We are also checking transports which are out on the streets without emergency reasons. However, a huge number of people are outside today for taking Covid vaccine,’ he added.

Many Pathao and Uber drivers were seen carrying passengers on motorbikes and cars without using the apps and charging higher fares.