Ashkona camp empty, expats seek release from Gazipur quarantine 

No inbound expatriate was placed under quarantine at Ashkona Haji Camp on Monday. 

Meanwhile, 48 returnees from Italy, who had been quarantined in the camp, have been transferred to the 20-bed Meghdubi Mother and Child Welfare Centre in Gazipur  while the rest have been released, said Assistant Sub-Inspector Md Belayet Hossain, who is in-charge of Ashkona Camp.

Of the 48, four people who had fever were sent to Dhaka on suspicion of having contracted coronavirus, said Gazipur Civil Surgeon Dr Khairuzzaman. He added that since the remaining 44 had come in contact with the four persons, "we cannot let them go without testing them."

He made it known that the hospital and the local administration were providing food and all other services to the expatriates in quarantine at the Meghdubi medical centre. 

"We understand that they have come through a long journey and their families are concerned. However, we have to do our duty," he added.

The expatriates from Italy were transferred to Gazipur at midnight on Saturday. The hospital can accommodate 70 patients in isolation. 

The returnees resorted to protests on Sunday afternoon. On Monday, physicians and police talked to them as a result of which they are staying there at present. 

On Monday, this correspondent found the main gate of the Ashkona Haji Camp closed and no one was allowed to enter the premises. Cleaning activities were going on inside. 

"Cleaning will be done on Monday and Tuesday. The camp will be open on Wednesday," said Md Aiyub Mia, a security guard of the camp. 

Meanwhile, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday was less crowded. There were outbound passengers in terminal-3 but there were not many inbound passengers.

The 44 expatriates demonstrated again on Monday morning, seeking release from the hospital. 

Civil Surgeon Dr Khairuzzaman said some of the returnees from Italy had expressed their anger and sought release when Gazipur Deputy Commissioner SM Tariqul Islam visited them at the hospital on Monday morning. 

He said the health reports of the four suspects sent to Dhaka for medical tests were yet to be received. 

"If any of the four are tested positive for coronavirus, the 44 returnees will have to stay in quarantine because they were in close contact with the suspects." 

He said the 44 expats would be sent into self-quarantine if the four suspects test negative for the virus. The returnees at the Gazipur health centre are in good health for now.