Bangladesh COVID shutdown triggers exodus from capital Dhaka

Thousands scramble to get the last trains, buses and ferries before a nationwide transport shutdown takes hold.

Tens of thousands of people have scrambled to get the last trains, buses and ferries out of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, before a nationwide transport shutdown to halt the spread of coronavirus takes hold. With new cases and deaths hitting record numbers, Bangladesh’s government has ordered all offices and shops to close for eight days from 6am (00:00 GMT) on Wednesday. The country will become virtually cut off with all international flights halted and domestic transport curtailed.