NEW DELHI, Mar 21, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh mission in New Delhi, India has opened a whatsApp hotline number for the Bangladeshi nationals living in the country so that they can contact with the mission officials in any emergency.
Officials of the mission will provide 24 hours online service through the whatsApp hotline number if anybody seeks help of the mission in the wake of global outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) that has already claimed over 11,417 lives and infected 2.75 lakhs people globally.
The number, which has uploaded on the mission’s website, is- +918595552494.
Talking to BSS, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mohammad Imran said last evening that Bangladeshi people especially students, who are residing anywhere in India can contact with the mission officials through the number for any help they requires in the wake of Covid-19.
Apart from this, he said that the mission is preparing a database in whatsApp of the Bangladesh nationals in India so that we can communicate with them easily to get the mission’s service in this regard.
“As part of the efforts, we have already collected names and address of 700 Bangladeshi people most of them are students,” he added. He requested the Bangladeshi patients in Indian hospitals to contact with the mission officials in the whatsApp number for any help.
“Don’t be panicked, the mission is with you,” the high commissioner asked the Bangladeshi nationals in India.
Meanwhile, the high commission has issued a travel advisory for its nationals in view of the Novel Coronavirus pandemic.
According to the advisory, the mission discourages to come to the mission in person for obtaining consular service, if it is not an absolute necessity.
It also advised the Bangladeshi nationals in India to avoid crowd and public gathering as well as strictly follow the instructions of Indian government regarding movement and quarantine.
According to Indian health ministry sources, Novel Coronavirus cases in India rose to 258 today (till filling of the report at 12:25 PM local time) with 35 fresh cases reported in various parts of the country.
Among the 258 are 39 foreign nationals, including 17 from Italy, three from the Philippines, two from the UK, one each belonging to Canada, Indonesia and Singapore. The total figure also includes four deaths reported from Delhi, Karnataka, Punjab and Maharashtra.