Abdul Aziz:

Cox’s Bazar has come back to life as people poured into the beloved tourist spot as the restrictions were lifted after four months.

As the hotels, restaurants and beachside shops have resumed operations and are teeming with tourists, owners and workers are hopeful about recovering from the losses caused due to the lockdown.

Tourists rushed to the seaside as soon as the lockdown lifted for some fresh air after a long stint of staying home.

“Dhaka’s busy life has made me exhausted,” said Faria Jahan, who was on a three-day holiday to the beach.

Another tourist Rubina Parveen said: “There’s too much crowd at the beach and no health guidelines are being followed. The people concerned should be notified.”

ST Martin’s UP Chairman Nur Ahmed said that the popular holiday destination was still devoid of tourists but perhaps due to bad weather.

Cox’s Bazar Kolatoli Marine Drive Road Hotel Owners’ Association General Secretary Mukhim Khan said: “We have opened the hotels and motels in keeping with the health guidelines.”

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He added that the guests were asked to stick to the guidelines, but he was not aware of whether rules were being followed in the water.

Cox’s Bazar Hotel Motel and Resort Owners Association General Secretary Abul Kashem said that the hotels had been asked to book half of their guest capacity.

“In order to follow through with the government directives, a team of the district administration’s executive magistrate will aid the tourist police,” said Superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Tourist Police Md Zillur Rahman.

He added that tourist police teams would monitor the Laboni, Shugandha, Kolatoli, Kobita Chaottor, Inani and Patuartek points on the beach.

Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Mamnur Rashid said that the district administration would closely monitor the situation.

He added that authorities concerned had been instructed to ensure that people wear masks and use sanitizers.

voice/aa