Phasing out lockdown: strict safety measures needed

Armed people recently tried to storm Michigan state governor's office to force him to withdraw lockdown. In the US, there is debate about whether to follow science and continue the lockdown or withdraw it and resume economic activities.

However, I am sure that won't be possible in Bangladesh and people are starting to realise that. Thus they are quickly adjusting to this way of life. Garment factories had to be opened up with stringent health measures; foreign currency is needed to import machinery, and Bangladesh cannot lose their established market to countries such as Vietnam and others.

But the exit from lockdown does not mean we will have fully eradicated coronavirus, until everyone is vaccinated, which might not happen until mid-2021. We have to continue enforcing strict safety measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus even after lockdown ends such as encouraging hand washing, wearing masks, etc. Before the withdrawal of lock down we have to increase the rate of tests, boost our existing health facilities; strengthen both home-based and institutional quarantine facilities; strong disinfection measures, especially in the transport sector.

A lockdown exit needs to be planned gradually and with careful sequencing. First and foremost, we need full opening of the supply and production chain. Thanks to stringent government measures, price of agricultural produce is more or less stable.

For rural areas, we should open economic microfinance institutions as it is the lifeline for many marginalised people. Countries like India and Vietnam, and some East European countries have already stopped food export. Our Prime Minister is paying most attention to agricultural produce.

India has extended lockdown until May 17, but it has divided the country into red, yellow, and green zones. Red where coronavirus infection rates are increasing, India is imposing a full lockdown. Yellow where coronavirus rates are stable, the country is watching and taking careful steps. Green is where no coronavirus infections are being detected or rates are decreasing. In these zones, they are opening up economic activities.

Maybe Bangladesh can take lessons from India. But as a citizen we have to understand that, full exit from coronavirus measures is impossible until all people are vaccinated. Full exit from lockdown is neither feasible nor possible, rather it has to come in steps, based on how rapidly we are strengthening health facilities (including tests, treatment, and quarantine) and balancing that with priority needs in economic activities.