The Bangladeshi capital has had coronavirus restrictions since 26 March. Photographer Noor Alam, who lives in the city, has been documenting life in neighbourhoods where people can’t afford to stay at home.
A deceptive calm has fallen over Dhaka. In this densely populated city of 21 million, the main roads are empty, the sounds of horns have disappeared and the polluted sky has cleared. But social distancing within our neighbourhoods is an illusion. We are all packed into the same bazaars and homes.
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Bangladesh began its lockdown on 26 March, on independence day, when many people were outside Dhaka to celebrate with family in their villages. The first few days were quiet as we all tried to stop the spread of Covid-19.
Even the rickshaw drivers vacated the streets. But after a week they had to return to work. They have been busy, replacing cars and buses to transport people around their neighbourhoods. Day labourers remain outside, looking for work so they can feed their families. Many of them came to Dhaka from the countryside and have to send money to their villages. They cannot afford to stay at home during this lockdown.
When I travel the city by bicycle or in autorickshaws, which are reserved for emergency services and journalists, I see the poorest people having to continue their daily lives; meanwhile the wealthy are comfortable, and office workers are able to stay at home and survive on their savings.
Source: Lockdown in Dhaka: where social distancing is an illusion
