Gatherings at tourist spots banned

Authorities yesterday imposed a ban on public gatherings at different tourist spots in Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Chattogram and Patuakhali to prevent the risk of spreading coronavirus.

Cox's Bazar district administration yesterday afternoon imposed restrictions on tourist arrival in the city and all sort of gatherings at beaches.

The district administration and tourist police asked authorities of all hotels and motels not to allow any new guests, said Kamal Hossain, deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar.

Besides, the visitors, who were staying at different hotels, have been asked to return their respective houses, the DC said.

Immediately after imposing the ban, the tourist police and beach staff started evacuating tourists from beaches.

Meanwhile, Chattogram Metropolitan Police imposed the ban on gathering at Patenga sea beach in the port city from yesterday afternoon.

Additional police were deployed at two entry points to bar people from gathering, said Utpal Barua, officer-in-charge of Patenga Police Station.

Police have taken this initiative after images went viral on social media, showing a large number of people are gathering at Patenga beach.

It happened at a time when the government is advising people to avoid public gatherings to curb the risk of coronavirus spreading.

CMP later also stopped visitors' entry at Foy's Lake, Jamburi Park, and other sites, deploying officials at the spots to enforce the ban.

Police also put up banners, distributed leaflets and made announcements over loud speakers to raise awareness about avoiding public gatherings.

In Sylhet, the district administration imposed a ban on all tourist spots in the district to prevent coronavirus contamination.

The ban came into effect on yesterday afternoon, said Mohammad Abul Kalam, additional deputy commissioner (general) of Sylhet.

"We have informed all upazila nirbahi officers (UNO) to announce and impose the ban with the support of police", he said.

Sylhet has become a tourist attraction for its diversified tourist spots like Jaaflong, Bichhnakandi, Ratargul of Gowainghat upazila, Shada Pathor and Utmachhara of Companiganj upazila, Lalakhal and Jaintia Kingdom of Jaintiapur upazila and tea gardens.

In Patuakhali, the district administration imposed a ban on gatherings at Kuakata sea beach yesterday afternoon.