BSS–43 Border closure with India extended for another 14 days

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BSS–43

BANGLADESH-INDIA-BORDER-CLOSURE

Border closure with India extended for another 14 days

DHAKA, May 8, 2021 (BSS) – The government today decided to extend the ongoing border closure with India for another 14 days keeping the same conditions to check spread of second surge of COVID-19 virus.

The decision was taken at a virtual inter-ministerial meeting chaired by foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, a foreign ministry official told BSS this evening.

On April 25, the government decided that general movements of humans between Bangladesh and India will stay suspended through the land ports for 14 days from 6am of April 26 to 6pm of May 9.

As per the today’s decision, the ongoing closure will be extended till May 23 keeping all previous conditions regarding the shutdown unchanged.

As per a foreign ministry’s earlier statement, as exception, only the Bangladeshi citizens currently traveling to India for treatment and having visas with validity for less than 15 days could enter Bangladesh through only Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari after taking permission from Bangladesh missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala.

During crossing the Bangladesh border through the above land ports, they must show a mandatory Covid-negative certificate done through PCR test within 72 hours of entry, it said, adding that they must stay officially quarantined for two weeks after entering the country.

“Except for the aforementioned three land ports, all kinds of human movements through all other land ports between the two countries would completely stay suspended for two weeks,” said the statement.

The vehicles carrying imported goods from India would have to be properly sterilized before entering Bangladesh borders while the concerned drivers and helpers would have to observe the Covid-19 safety protocol strictly, the inter-ministerial meeting decided.

Railroads would be encouraged for export and import of goods between the two countries in this period, said the statement.

Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata and Agartala would convey the relevant information in this regard to the concerned authorities in India in the light of the friendly relations between the two countries.

BSS/ASG/TA/MRU /2101hrs