Homebound people leaving Dhaka, taking whatever vehicles they can board

Thousands of homebound people are leaving Dhaka city, boarding whatever vehicles they found on the streets -- posing a great risk of Covid-19 spread across the country.  

Visiting Gabtoli, Hemayetpur and Sayedabad, our correspondents found that thousands of homebound people thronged at the exit points of Dhaka and other peripheral areas, waiting for vehicles to go to their village homes. Most of them were not maintaining health guidelines. Some were not wearing masks properly. Some did not bother to wear masks.

Failing to get public transport at Gabtoli, many were seen heading towards Aminbazar on foot or in auto-rickshaws to take a bus or other transport from there. A huge crowd was seen at Aminbazar area.

Many were leaving in private and small vehicles, microbuses, pick-up vans, and any other means of transport found there amid the suspension of inter-district public transport.

Many opted for human-haulers, trucks and motorcycles to reach their destinations, paying two or three times more than usual. Many even walked long distances to go home.

Lower and middle income people were taking detours and changing vehicles multiple times to reach their destinations.