Mobile courts fine quarantine violators

Different mobile courts in eleven districts fined 17 returnees from foreign countries a total of Tk 1.45 lakhs for not abiding by the government-mandated home quarantine since Wednesday.

As a measure to contain the spread of coronavirus, the government has directed all passengers coming in from particular countries to remain in quarantine at their own homes.

The countries are Saudi Arabia, India, Singapore, South Africa, Lebanon and Canada.   

The magistrates conducting the courts said many of the returnees from those countries have been increasing the risk of possible spread of the virus by not adhering to the directive.

Yesterday, at Reserve Bazar market in Rangamati town, a mobile court fined a returnee from India Tk 5,000 and sent him to immediate home quarantine after the court found the man selling fish at the market.

Meanwhile, two returnees were fined Tk 5,000 and Tk 20,000 in Patuakhali, one returnee from Singapore Tk 10,000 in Tangail, one from India Tk 5,000 in Thakurgaon, two returnees Tk 5,000 and Tk 10,000 in Satkhira, three returnees Tk 10,000 each in Jhalakathi, one returnee from Saudi Arabia Tk 10,000 in Rajbari, one from Saudi Arabia Tk 10,000 in Jamalpur, one from South Africa Tk 10,000 and another from Lebanon Tk 5,000 in Manikganj, two from India Tk 5,000 and Tk 20,000 in Chapainawabganj, and one returnee from Canada was fined Tk 8,000 for violating the home quarantine directives.  

A mobile court at Patuakhali river terminal made four people return to Dhaka after they arrived at the terminal around 6:30am, on their way to visit Kuakata seabeach.  

Our reporters from corresponding districts contributed to the story.