Chattogram amusement parks reopen after 5 months with low turnout

The amusement parks in the port city Chattogram reopened on Sunday after five months of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak across the country.  

However, the turnout of visitors was very low compared to that in normal times.

Earlier on August 19, the Chattogram district administration allowed the reopening of amusement parks from August 22 on condition that they followed 15 health guidelines. 

Usually, a large number of visitors crowd to amusement spots like Chattogram Zoo, Swadhinata Complex (also known as Mini-Bangladesh), Patenga Sea Beach, Kazir Dewri Shishu Park, Agrabad Shishu Park, and Butterfly Park. 

The amusement parks in Chattogram were incurring huge financial losses as they remained closed during the Eid-ul-Fitr and Eidul-Azha holidays ─ the two largest religious festivals in the country.

Chattogram Zoo opened for the visitors on Sunday. 

Dr Shahadat Hossain Shuvo, curator of the Zoo, told The Business Standard, "As it was the first day after a long closure over the coronavirus, we have witnessed a low turnout of visitors. Around 500 visitors entered the Zoo on Sunday, whereas before the closure we used to get around 2,000."

Moreover, the rain in the morning also hampered the turnout. But within a week, visitor turnout will be normal like earlier, he hoped. 

After staying closed for 5 months to curb the spread of Covid-19, Chattogram zoo reopened on Sunday. Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS

Like Foy's Lake – one of the main tourist spots in the port city – other amusement concerns in the port city stare at a bleak future as the virus keeps continuing its round-ups with no sign of stopping. 

However, after reopening, they hope for a good start. And they also expect that they can turn around within a short time. 

Foy's Lake Complex operator Concord Entertainment's Deputy Manager (Marketing) Bishwajit Ghosh said that they had opened their park after five months. 

"Before the outbreak of coronavirus, around 800 people used to visit Foy's lake every day, while during weekends the number of visitors was around 2000. After reopening on Sunday, only 62 visitors came so far. We hope more of them will start to come soon," he added.  

Visitors were upset because leisure spots were closed for such a long time. After their reopening, they said they at least get a spot to visit and come out from home.

"I was spending a monotonous life at home for the last five months when movement was restricted due to the spread of coronavirus. Though a few spots are available in Chattogram for spending leisure hours, all were closed for the coronavirus. I feel refreshed after visiting Foy's lake," said Jamal Uddin.

Habibur Rahman, another visitor from Chattogram went to visit Chatttogram Zoo. 

"My three kids felt bored at home. They have no school and we could not visit any relatives for the fear of coronavirus infection. After the reopening of the zoo, we came here. We are feeling relaxed because we have came out of home after a long time," he said.