ZCZC
BSS-55
EXPATS-COVID-CERTIFICATE
Covid-19 report mandatory for countries which need it: Imran
DHAKA, July 30, 2020 (BSS) – The government has slightly changed
its move in making mandatory receiving of coronavirus negative
certificate by abroad goers for only those countries which need it
instead of every intending passenger to go outside the country.
“Now receiving coronavirus negative certificate remains mandatory
for going aboard. Under the circumstances, there is partial correction
in the rule that it will be mandatory for only intending aboard goers
of those countries which need,” Expatriates Welfare and Overseas
Employment Minister Imran Ahmed today said this while chairing an
urgent inter-ministerial meeting at the secretariat.
But, he said, general physical examination for abroad goers will be
strengthened at the airports as civil aviation ministry and health
services division will take necessary measures to this end.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign
Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr.
Ahmad Kaikaus, Senior Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mahibul
Haque and Armed Forces Division Principal Staff Officer Lieutenant
General Md Mahfuzur Rahman addressed the meeting, moderated by
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Dr Ahmed
Munirus Saleheen.
Imran said his ministry will designate required institutions for
Covid-19 testing after evaluating the suitability of extension of
interests (EoI) received from the government approved diagnostic
centers following consultations with concerned ministries and
divisions.
Decision was taken that Health Services Division of the Health
Ministry will provide technical and expertise facilities to cooperate
with the approved diagnostic centers in properly doing their job in
Covid-19 testing.
The expatriates’ welfare minister said his ministry has taken
various realistic and time-befitting steps to increase awareness among
expatriate Bangladeshis to face the Covid-19 situation, in immigration
to home from abroad and reintegration while the government measures
would be further accelerated to prevent human trafficking.
He said Covid-19 testing labs will be set up for abroad goers in
Chattogram and Sylhet and quarantine facilities will be ensured for
aboard returnees.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Security Services Division
Secretary Md Shahiduzzaman, Health Services Division Secretary Md
Abdul Mannan and Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal M
Mafidur Rahman also spoke on the occasion, among others.
BSS/pr/MKD/MRU/2243hrs