Chattogram DC launches innovative measure to ensure social distance

At a first glance, one might think the circles drawn on roads throughout every upazila of Chattogram are for celebrating any special occasion such as the Pohela Boishakh.

But in reality, this is an innovative measure launched by the Chattogram district administration. 

By standing inside the circles drawn on the ground one metre apart, people are easily maintaining social distance while buying medicine and commodities from shops while in queues. 

The circles are also preventing the people from gathering into crowds amid the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. The initiative was launched at the upazila level on Thursday and will be implemented across the Chattogram city on Friday.

Towhidul Islam, executive magistrate of Chattogram district administration said, "As per the direction of Chattogram's Deputy Commissioner (DC) Elias Hossain, this innovative measure has been launched in Chattogram city and its upazilas, to save the people from getting infected by the coronavirus while buying medicine and essential commodities.

"People tend to stand in queues in front of shops very closely. We are drawing circles one metre apart so they can maintain social distance. The upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) began the initiative in different upazilas of Chattogram on Thursday."

Junayed Kabir Sohag, UNO of Raozan Upazila, said, "We are drawing circles throughout the Raozan upazila as part of an awareness campaign to encourage people in maintaining social distance.

"We drew circles in front of medicine and grocery shops in areas such as Raozan municipality, Fakirhat, Munshirghata and Kakutia bazar."

The UNOs of Patiya and Satkania upazilas also drew circles at different areas on the first day of the campaign, said the district administration.