Online Desk : The capital wore a deserted look on Friday -- the second day of the stricter lockdown imposed by the government in Bangladesh to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The success of the lockdown can well be attributed to the sincere efforts of law enforcement agencies in convincing the residents to stay off the roads, morning rains and Friday, a government holiday.

The stricter lockdown, which came into effect on Thursday morning, will continue till July 7 midnight.

“On one hand, it’s a Friday and also raining since morning, hence fewer vehicles are seen on the roads. On the other hand, we are letting vehicles go only after thorough enquiries at posts," said traffic inspector Asaduzzaman (Mohakhali).

“Cases are being filed against anyone caught stepping out of their homes without any valid reason,” he added.

Meanwhile, Army personnel were also seen patrolling the streets of Dhaka, as the government scrambles to bring the Covid-19 situation under control.

Though there were fewer private and commercial vehicles on the main roads as compared to Thursday, rickshaws that provide last-mile connectivity to the residents were seen plying at many places.

Police and Rapid Action Battalion members were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people after setting up check-posts in different areas of the capital.

Kitchen markets in the city remained open, with the government allowing them to operate from 8am to 5pm. However, public transport vehicles remained off the roads as per the government directives.

A surge in coronavirus cases prompted the government to go for the stricter lockdown.

UNB