Stricter screening at ports
FE REPORT | Monday, 2 November 2020
In the wake of the second wave of the Covid-19 attack in Europe, Bangladesh has decided to take stricter screening measures at its land and airports.
The decision was made at an inter-ministerial meeting on Sunday to prevent further deterioration of the pandemic situation in the country.
A five-member committee, headed by foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, has been formed to suggest specific measures by three or four days.
"We want to ensure that the pandemic won't deteriorate further in the country," state minister M Shahriar Alam told reporters after the two-hour meeting.
The second wave has been officially confirmed in some countries in Europe where a good number of Bangladeshi expatriates are living.
An estimated 1,500 passengers are coming from these countries every day, posing a risk for Bangladesh, Mr Alam disclosed.
On any possible ban on flights to and from these countries, he said it depends on the situation.
The committee will also submit its recommendations to this end, the junior minister mentioned.
There will be a major increase in the number of inspection staff at airports and land ports to ensure stricter screening.
Screening has been lax in recent months, thanks to an improvement in the Covid situation in Bangladesh, Mr Alam stated.
"Since the second wave is confirmed, we've decided to raise the number of inspection staff at the ports for tighter screening of passengers."
The quarantine facility will also be strengthened further and if any inbound passenger has symptoms, he must undergo quarantine unless he tests negative, the meeting decided.
Responding to a query, Mr Alam said the government has no plan to conduct rapid test at airports right now because such test is not reliable.
Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and expatriate welfare minister Imran Chowdhury jointly chaired the meeting where principal secretary to the Prime Minister's Office were present.
Health and home secretaries, and heads or representatives of 12 agencies also attended the meeting.