All tourist spots closed to prevent coronavirus spread

All tourist spots across Bangladesh including in Cox's Bazar, Sundarbans, Sylhet, Rangamati, Sreemangal, Bandarban and Netrokona have been shut down to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Local administrations of the respective districts advised tourists not to visit the spots until further notice.

The authorities have also asked to cancel big gatherings and programmes at all hotels, restaurants, resorts and rest houses in the areas.

People began to throng the tourist spots after the government had closed all educational institutions across the country till March 31 amid coronavirus worries.

Mohibul Haque, senior secretary to the aviation and tourism ministry, said, "We did not issue any directive to the local administration to close the tourist spots. Local administration took the decision to avoid mass gatherings as per a directive from the health ministry."     

Cox's Bazar district administration has started sending back visitors since Wednesday afternoon.

Kamal Hossain, deputy commissioner of Cox's Bazar, said, "The educational institutions have been shut as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. But many are considering the closure as a vacation and are coming to Cox's Bazar."

"Although we have suggested visitors to stay at home, a good number are still coming. We asked many to go back to their homes," he added.  

However, no decision was taken over closing star-rated and other residential hotels and motels. Many of the accommodation providers are sending about 60 percent of their employees back home as there are less visitors, according to local sources.  

Imtiaz Somel, sales and marketing officer at Ocean Paradise Hotel and Resort, said, "We have stopped taking new bookings following the directive of the district administration."

Besides, the ship cruise between the Saint Martin's Island and Teknaf will also come under a ban from Friday.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Offcier Mohammad Saiful Islam, said, "A decision has been taken to stop the movement of tourist vessels to Saint Martin's Island to prevent coronavirus infection."

The UNO also said they discourage people to visit the island and they will also take legal steps if someone violates the order. 

There are 33 Rohingya camps in Ukhia of Teknaf. Any foreigner, who wants to visit the camps, has to be quarantined for at least 14 days. 

The local forest department also closed a visit to Sundarbans for tourists until a further notice. 

"The tourists' arrival at all eco-tourism spot of Sundarbans have been banned from Wednesday. But when the situation becomes normal, we will open the Sundarbans for tourists," said Md Moinuddin Khan, conservator of the Sundarbans forest department.

The upzila administration of Durgapur in Netrokona also banned the tourist visit at hilly areas and other tourist spots.

Durgapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Khanom confirmed the matter to The Business Standard.

Recently, the health department authorities have also advised people to avoid crowds so that none gets infected with the deadly virus, that is believed to be started spreading from China.

But people were seen gathering at the spots, increasing the risk of coronavirus spread.

Many expatriates were also seen roaming their villages, visiting relatives' houses and the tourist spots ignoring the advice of staying in 14-day home quarantine.