361 Bangladeshis are returning home from China at night

The Dhaka Times Desk Late tonight, 361 Bangladeshis are returning home from China at night. They were stranded in China's Wuhan province after the spread of the Corona virus.

The government is bringing back 361 Bangladeshis from China's Wuhan province. They will be quarantined for 14 days at the Ashkona Hajj Camp after being brought back to the country. No one including family can meet them during this period.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Malek Swapan told reporters after a meeting with the concerned officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport today (January 31).

The minister said that more than 5 thousand people have been affected by the corona virus in China. More than 170 people have already died. The disease has also spread to 17 countries. However, this disease has no effect in Bangladesh. A suspect has been admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital. The investigation is going on, only when it is completed will we know what actually happened.

The minister also said that about 361 people from China's Wuhan Province have applied to return to Bangladesh. We have made arrangements to bring them back to the country as soon as possible on the instructions of the Prime Minister. As far as we know, none of the returnees are infected with the corona virus. Still they will be kept under observation. They will first be kept at the Haj camp in Ashkona. There they will be under observation for 14 days. During this time they cannot meet anyone including family members. We will provide regular updates to the family members.

A special flight (DG-7001) of Biman Bangladesh Airlines will leave Wuhan at 5 pm today to bring back Bangladeshis, he said, at 5 pm our Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight will leave for China. The flight will land in Bangladesh with them around 2 am. This aircraft will carry 5 doctors who will be fully protected. The plane will also have all the facilities of an ambulance. 361 people will also be brought to the country under protected status. Even in the Hajj camp they will be kept separately. Quarantine wards at the Combined Military Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital and the Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Hospital have also been kept ready for treatment if anyone falls ill during the 14-day stay at the Haj camp. Police and other security forces will be deployed at all times to provide security.

Relatives have been requested not to visit within 14 days of observation.