Quarantined in India, 23 Bangladesh nationals likely to return home Saturday

Twenty-three Bangladeshi nationals, quarantined in the suburbs of Indian capital for 14 days, are set to return home on Saturday with health clearance certificates.

The Bangladesh nationals, mostly students and a family with a kid, went through necessary health check-up on Thursday and no-one was found infected with coronavirus.

"We'll get health clearance certificates on Friday and are hopeful of flying for Dhaka on Saturday," one of the students from the 23-member group told UNB over phone.

They were evacuated from China's Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus, on February 27 by a special Indian Air Force flight with a number of other Indian nationals, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Bangladesh brought back 312 of its nationals from China on February 1 and the remaining Bangladeshis got registered to return home.

After the first (thermal) screening at the isolation bay at the airport, the group - 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals including 8 families and 5 children - were provided with basic facilities required at the centre as done with the previous lot of evacuees.

The group of foreign nationals included 23 from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives, and one each from Madagascar, South Africa and the US.

The quarantine camp at Chhawla in New Delhi was prepared by ITBP in just 48 hours prior to arrival of the first batch from Wuhan on February 1, 2020.

The Bangladesh nationals were quarantined in special facilities, said the High Commission in Dhaka.

"We would like to extend our gratitude for the amazing work done by Indian Air Force and the Indian government," another student told UNB.

On behalf of the group, she said living in a locked down situation for a long period has always been traumatic for all of them and it was a great relief when the Indian Embassy in Beijing spontaneously responded and agreed to take them onboard.

In a message of appreciation shared with UNB, the student wishing to remain unnamed said
China, their second home for study purpose, has also succeeded in providing them with adequate precautions.

"Their devotion towards keeping us safe and making sure of our health was selfless. They deserve the credit for being very responsible and sensitive for foreigners equally like their own nationals. We will always remember your support," the message reads.

The Bangladeshi citizens said the professionalism that the Indian officials demonstrated has impressed all of them.

They appreciated Indian officials positive attitude and their ability to resolve their issues immediately with patience.  

"We're grateful for your generous gesture for providing us with a safe shelter, food, friendly environment and good facilities at ITDP ( Indo Tibetan Border Police) in New Delhi," said the students.

Having India as a neighboring country is one of the best things that happened to them, said one of the students. "Thank you once again for all your efforts."

Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and
three other local carriers have decided to suspend their flights to India following New Delhi's latest decision.

However, both the Indian side and Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are in touch to ensure the smooth return of them on Saturday, said a student who is waiting to return home.

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

No new visa shall be issued from March 13, 2020, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday.

In view of the existing spread of COVID-19, the government of India has issued the instructions on travel to India.

India has suspended all the existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment, project visas till April 15.

This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure, said the Press Information Bureau of India on Wednesday.

Almost 125,000 cases have now been reported to WHO, from 118 countries and territories.

In the past two weeks, the number of cases reported outside China has increased almost 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has almost tripled.