Bangladesh
Covid-19 Social distancing goes for a toss as people gather in numbers at book fare
Dhaka, April 3: Buyers from different parts of Dhaka have flocked to the Amar Ekushey Book Fair at Bangla Academy on weekends. But in spite of the government's directive to maintain social distance to prevent corona infection, the incoming buyers and visitors did not seem to comply. This is what transpired on the afternoon of Friday (April 2).
It has been observed around the book fair that the presence of buyers or visitors in the Bangla Academy part of the fair is less. As a result, sellers are spending lazy time. However, young people around have been seen in the mood to take pictures.
Later, another part of the fair was visited at Suhrawardy Udyan, where there were more shoppers than any other day of the week, ignoring the fear of infection.
Some of them have come to visit with family or friends. Some are buying books, some are looking around, while others are taking shelter in the shade of the garden to protect themselves from the heat of the sun after buying books.
Many men wear Punjabi on this day. And there are women wearing saris, bangles and flowers on their heads in the festive mood.
However, in the fair, warning messages were repeatedly being blared. News of the new book is being given along with requesting everyone to wear masks and stand at the fair. However, the incoming buyers are stubborn. So they have crowded the stalls without accepting any social distance.
University student Shamim Rahman said, "I am sitting at home as the educational institution is closed. So I am coming to the book fair with my friends whenever I get a chance. Despite the government's instructions, in many cases I forget to follow them."
