Festival travel, vaccine shortage put Bangladesh at risk South Africa Islamic Muslims China World Health Organization

News Snapshot:

Tens of thousands of people left Bangladesh's capital on Thursday to join their families in home villages to celebrate the Islamic religious festival of Eid al-Fitr, despite stark warnings that the exodus could worsen the country's sharply rising coronavirus outbreak. People crowded exit points in Dhaka defying a nationwide lockdown in effect until Sunday and a suspension of long-distance passenger buses, trains and ferries. Authorities urged citizens not to congregate to offer special prayers for the festival on Friday and instead pray in phases in the country's more than 300,000 mosques while following health guidelines. Health officials fear the chaotic...