Law enforcers restrict Rajshahi’s entry and exit points

Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) have imposed restrictions on entry and exit points of the city today as a measure against the spread of coronavirus.

At least eight teams of police began patrolling 40 pre-selected spots of the city from 11am to ensure the restrictions, RMP officials said.

"We're not calling it a lockdown, but we will not allow anyone to go out and come into the city for the safety of the people," said Golam Ruhul Kuddus, an additional deputy commissioner and spokesperson of RMP.

He said they also put restrictions on the city's businesses and asked for closure of all shops and markets other than the emergency services after 6pm.

Earlier, in a meeting at the divisional commissioner's office yesterday, Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton directed the law enforcers to take measures for keeping Rajshahi safe as the number of Covid-19 patients continue to rise around the country.

"No patients were found positive here yet, we took the decisions considering the safety of the city people," the mayor told The Daily Star.

He said the meeting decided to dedicate the ICU unit of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital as a new coronavirus corner. There are 70 beds and 14 ventilators, he added.

He said they decided to ask the Baptist Mission Hospital and Islami Bank Medical College Hospital to provide space for keeping coronavirus patients as well.

Besides, the district committee prepared coronavirus corners at different places including Mohila Krira Complex, divisional stadium, ID Hospital and TB hospital in the city.

The meeting also took decisions on where and how a patient who dies of Covid-19 would be buried.

The mayor said if any Covid-19 patient dies in Rajshahi, the body would be buried in an identified place in the city following recommended guidelines.