Bangladesh: Authorities place COVID-19 hotspot in Dhaka under lockdown July 4-21 /update 18

Event

The government of Bangladesh has placed an area of Dhaka under a three-week lockdown between Saturday, July 4, and Saturday, July 25, to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The decision to lockdown ward 41 in the neighborhood of Wari was made after 46 cases of COVID-19 were detected in the area by the end of June. Barricades have been set up around 21 roads in the area and the only two ways in and out of the ward are being manned by security forces. Residents will only be allowed to leave the area for emergency reasons and all shops apart from pharmacies have been closed, along with schools and both public and private businesses. Law enforcement has been deployed to enforce the lockdown and local officials will arrange the delivery of food to the ward.

Bangladeshi authorities announced on June 30 that the restrictions in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 have been extended until August 3. Curfew hours have been shortened to between 22:00 and 05:00 (local time). However, all non-essential travel remains prohibited. The wearing of face masks and social distancing measures also remain compulsory in public places, while a ban on rallies, meetings, and mass gatherings remain in place. Public transportation has been allowed to operate in some regions at a reduced capacity.

As of Tuesday, July 7, health authorities have confirmed 168,645 COVID-19 cases, with 2151 associated deaths in the country. Further spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.