Domestic flights, passenger trains and launches suspended during lockdown

The authorities have decided to suspend domestic flights, and passenger train and launch services during a seven-day national lockdown from Monday over the coronavirus.

M Mafidur Rahman, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh or CAAB, said on Saturday development of airports and other work will continue.

Sardar Shahadat Ali, an additional director general at Bangladesh Railway, said trains carrying emergency goods will continue during the lockdown.

Details will be made available in the government notification on the lockdown, he said.

Trains were supposed to run at half the capacity from Monday amidst the record surge in COVID-19 cases.

The authorities had also stopped selling tickets for journeys after Apr 11 as part of efforts to beat back the outbreak.

Finally on Saturday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister revealed the decision to enforce a lockdown from Monday.

Commodore Golam Sadeq, chairman of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, said goods-laden vessels will continue their services.

The owners of the launches have been informed about the decision.Flights, train and launch services were also closed during the 66-day lockdown last year.