Shops, public transport ordered closed in Madaripur’s Shibchar to stem coronavirus spread

The local authorities in Madaripur’s Shibchar Upazila have ordered all shops, business entities and public transports shut to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The order, effective from 7pm on Thursday, will exclude shops of essential goods like groceries, kitchen ingredients and medicines, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Asaduzzaman said.

He said top officials of the administration and police, and public representatives took the decision in a meeting at the Upazila council.

Wedding parties, religious and political gatherings are also suspended, he said.

Shibchar Upazila Council Chairman Shamsuddin Khan, Woman Vice-Chairman Fahima Akter, Municipality Mayor Awalad Hossain Khan, and Assistant Superintendent of Police Md Abir Hossain, among others, attended the meeting.

Earlier at a press briefing in Dhaka, Health Minister Zahid Malik said the situation was worsening in Madaripur and Faridpur districts and In particular, Shibchar Upazila.

“They have more patients with the symptoms than in the other areas. Most of the 17 infected are from the region. So we are considering it vulnerable, critical,” he said.

“We will lock down these areas if the number of cases rises,” he added.