Despite a sudden rise in Covid-19 infections in the country prompting the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) to issue 11-point health directives, these are largely being ignored. Most people remain unaware that a new wave of coronavirus has begun.

This was the scene observed on Saturday, in areas including Jatrabari, Wari, and the Sayedabad bus terminal in the capital.

On-site visits showed that workers returning to Dhaka from different parts of the country after the Eid-ul-Azha holidays were exhibiting widespread apathy. Hardly anyone was taking precautions.

A few people wore masks, mainly to protect themselves from dust, but they were not following any of the other recommended health measures.

Akhtar Hossain, an autorickshaw driver from Jatrabari, said: “We haven’t heard anything about Covid starting again. We haven’t seen any announcements from the government. No public announcements (miking) have taken place in this area.”