4 areas in Cox’s Bazar marked as Covid-19 red zones

Four wards under Ukhia's Rajapalang Union in Cox's Bazar, the areas mostly inhabited by Rohingya refugees, have been declared as 'red zones' to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

"Strict lockdown will be imposed on the wards 2, 5, 6, 9 of Rajapalang Union starting from 1 June midnight to 6 June midnight," said Ukhia Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Nizam Uddin Ahmed.

He said, "Strict restrictions were imposed in Ukhia camp and adjacent areas since 23 May after an alarming rate of coronavirus infection was reported. However, the authority has decided to mark the areas as a red zone as earlier measures failed to curb the growing number of Covid-19 cases."

"No one will be allowed to enter or leave UkhiaUpazila during this period," he said noting that law enforcement agencies under the leadership of the executive magistrate will work vigorously to enforce the restrictions everywhere in the upazila, especially at the border points.

The UNO has issued a five points directive in this regard. This includes: ban on public gathering, suspension of all kinds of transportation, closure of all private offices and NGOs, markets except for the pharmacies and essentials services. Only grocery stores will operate on a limited scale from 6 am to 4 pm.

According to the order, buses won't run directly on the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf road and movement of all concerned working in the camps including NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies except food and medicine will be under strict control.

Meanwhile, 2,264 Covid-19 patients have been identified in Ukhiaupazila till 31 May which is the second-highest in Cox's Bazar district. Among them, 1,250 are locals and 1,014 Rohingya refugees.