203 Bangladeshis return from India through Bhomra port

As countries are locking borders to contain the spread of coronavirus, 203 Bangladeshis returned home from India through Satkhira's Bhomra Land port in the last 48 hours.

Bishwajit Sarkar, officer-in-charge of Bhomra immigration police, said 113 of them entered the country on Saturday and 90 on Friday.

All of them have been advised to stay complete 14-day home quarantine, he added.

Although Bangladeshis entered through the border, ‘no Indian was permitted to enter’ Bangladesh since March 24, UNB reported citing the OC.

According to Bhomra Land Port Immigration sources, altogether 1,536 Bangladeshis entered the country through the border between March 1 and 28.

Prof Anisur Rahim, convener, Satkhira District Nagarik Committee, said the administration must ensure 14-day strict home quarantine for all of these returnees.

"The situation will be devastating if the administration fails to do so," he said.

All valid visas issued by the Indian High Commission or the Assistant High Commissions of India in Bangladesh on or before March 12 remained suspended from March 13 to till April 15.

Bangladesh declared a 10-day general holiday from March 26 to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces were deployed on March 25 to help the civil administration ensure that people maintain social distancing and coronavirus suspects remain in quarantine.

Coronavirus, first reported in China in December last year, is affecting 199 countries and territories around the world and two international conveyances.

It has infected 663,741 people globally and killed 30,880 of them so far -- a mortality rate of 18 per cent, according to Worldometer. But 142,183 of the patients have recovered while 490,678 are undergoing treatment. Of them, 25,207 patients are in critical condition.

Bangladesh has so far confirmed 48 COVID-19 cases and five deaths.