Bangladesh announces cancellation of flights to India in view of Coronavirus

Several airlines operating from Bangladesh have announced the cancellation of flights to India in view of the Coronavirus spread and travel restrictions imposed by India. Biman Bangladesh yesterday announced that none of its flight will operate to India from Saturday. However, one flight will be operated on Sunday to bring back the Bangladeshis from Kolkata.

US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair and Regent Airways have also decided to suspend flights to India. High Commission of India in Dhaka yesterday announced that all the visas issued by it and its Assistant High Commissions in Bangladesh will remain suspended from 13 March to 15 April. No new visas will be issued for India during this period.

In the meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched a cleanliness drive in the country named Parichchanna Gram,



Paichchanna Shahar- clean villages, clean towns. To minimize the chances of the spread of Coronavirus in Bangladesh she advised people not to shake hands or hug and follow the directions of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

Speaking to media in Dhaka, Health Minister Zahid Maleque urged the Bangladeshi nationals abroad not to return to the home country unless there is some emergency reason. The government has also ramped up it's screening at various airports and entry points to the country. Additional scanners have been installed at airports in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Benapole land port, informed the minister.

No new Corona virus-positive cases have been found in Bangladesh in the last 24 hours till Thursday.