Bikers block different roads in Dhaka protesting ban on ridesharing

More than hundred bikers, who share rides using ridesharing apps, have blocked different parts of the capital including Dhanmondi 27 intersection, Badda and Press Club area protesting a ban, imposed by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) on bike ridesharing services for the next two weeks.

Mikdad Hossain, a biker of ridesharing service told The Business Standard, "How can we survive in this Covid situation if the government stops our income sources? The government can't stop our service without any financial support."

"We want financial help, or allow us to move normally," he added

The ban was effective from Thursday morning. All the bike ridesharing companies were directed to halt their operations amid Covid-19 second wave. However, other vehicles are allowed to carry passengers complying with the fresh guidelines.

On Tuesday, the government instructed all the public transports to run with 50 percent passengers of its carrying capacity from Wednesday amid the rising trend of coronavirus infection. Besides, public transport fares were increased by 60%,

Bangladesh on Wednesday reported 5,358 new cases in the last 24 hours, which is the highest in a single day to date. Besides, the country reported 52 more deaths, the highest daily figure since 26 August last year from the deadly virus.

Besides, fatalities from the virus infection have surpassed 9,000-mark in the country. The number of Covid-19 cases now stands at 611,295.