Army personnel patrolled nearly empty streets and shops and markets remained closed in Dhaka as a seven-day "strict lockdown" began across Bangladesh on Thursday morning as a measure against the spike in Covid 19 cases.

Law enforcers, including members of the army, were seen in the Dhaka's important areas like Bijoy Sarani, Gulshan-2 and Babu Bazar.

In upscale Gulshan-2, army personnel set up a check post and were seen making announcements on loudspeakers urging people to stay at home and abide by the health rules.

There were police check posts on most of the intersections in the city, including near the Prime Minister's Office, Jahangir Gate, Mirpur and Gabtoli.

One of the busiest points of Dhaka, Farmgate, was remarkably vacant. Only a few rickshaws were seen here and there.

No roadside shops or markets along the main roads in Dhaka were open.

People seen violating the lockdown were fined by a mobile court in the Mirpur area.

(SAM)