Return home, HC advises British citizens in Bangladesh

The British High Commission in Dhaka has advised the British citizens currently staying in Bangladesh to return to the UK.

The High Commission in an urgent message to British citizens in Bangladesh said flights from Dhaka on two routes- Dhaka to London and Manchester - still remain open.

Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has decided to suspend flights on these two routes from Dhaka for a week after March 29.

According to Biman officials, flights will go to these two destinations on March 29 and will return to Dhaka next day.

Upto 150,000 British nationals visit Bangladesh every year, according to the British High Commission in Dhaka. 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising British nationals against all non-essential international travel at this time. 

The Bangladesh authorities have introduced measures to limit the spread of the virus, including widespread closures of shops and businesses, from March 26 until April 4. 

On March 26, the government of Bangladesh announced particular measures for passengers arriving with a "No Visa Required" certificate (an arrangement for foreign nationals of Bangladeshi heritage). 

Such passengers arriving in Bangladesh without a medical certificate indicating the passenger is symptom–free from coronavirus, or such passengers who display symptoms, will be placed into quarantine in a government facility for 14 days, said the British High Commission.

Such passengers who arrive with a medical certificate indicating they are symptom-free are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said British tourists and short-stay travellers currently abroad should return to the UK where commercial flight options are still available.

"We are strongly urging UK travellers overseas to return home now where and while there are still commercial routes to do so. Around the world, more airlines are suspending flights and more airports are closing, some without any notice," said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.