Support to British nationals in Bangladesh to continue: UK Minister

British Foreign Office Minister of State Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon on Saturday said their staff will continue to support those Britons who remain in Bangladesh throughout this crisis and beyond.

"We're in a truly unprecedented situation, and I know people are concerned about getting home to their loved ones," said the British Minister of State.

The British Foreign Office staff in the UK and Bangladesh have been working tirelessly with the Bangladeshi authorities to help British travellers who want to go back to the UK. 

Four chartered flights from Bangladesh to the UK will take home up to 850 British nationals to the United Kingdom.

The British High Commission in Dhaka, however, will remain in operation and continue to provide consular support to any British nationals who remain in Bangladesh and require assistance.

The chartered flights of the British Airways will depart for London from Dhaka on April 21, 23, 25 and 26 April, with accompanying transfers from Sylhet.

The British government invited its nationals in Bangladesh who wish to return home to express an interest. 

Priority is initially being given to vulnerable passengers, most at risk from the effects of coronavirus, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, according to British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. 

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said, "I am pleased to confirm the first charter flight from Bangladesh to bring British travellers back home, especially for those most vulnerable and those most in need."

He said their team continues to work hard to arrange a safe journey back home for as many people as possible.