'Lockdown unproductive'

BNP on Wednesday alleged that the weeklong lockdown enforced by the government is only causing public suffering instead of yielding any positive outcome in containing Covid-19 transmission. "The reality is that neither lockdown nor the restrictions are being implemented at the field level due to the mismanagement of the government," said Syed Emran Saleh Prince, acting BNP office secretary.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he also claimed people remain at a high risk of coronavirus infection because of the government's contradictory moves, UNB reports. "Everything is in a mess everywhere, putting people in limitless troubles."

The BNP leader also alleged that the government enforced the lockdown without any preparation. He said long traffic jams on roads and highways are proof that the lockdown has been ineffective. "People are waiting in long queues for transports at different places in the city. Basically, everything is going on as before."