Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh is also struggling to manage emergency Covid-19 vaccines for its citizens, for which authorities have decided to vaccinate the foreigners in phases.
Following an earlier decision by the government where Bangladeshi citizens had been placed in the top position, the foreigners staying in the country with an NVR (no visa required) passport had been left out of the vaccination drive.
Starting March 17, authorities said these foreign citizens will be taken under consideration for vaccination in the second phase but with certain conditions.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Bangladeshis having the nationality of other countries (except SAARC countries), their foreign national spouse and children born abroad are eligible for obtaining the endorsement of “No Visa Required to Travel to Bangladesh” in their foreign passports.
The endorsement is valid as long as the passport, on which it is affixed, remains valid. The person can enter Bangladesh as many times as he or she wishes and can stay without any time restriction as long as the passport has validity.
It cannot be ascertained how many people holding the NVR passports are currently staying in the country.
On March 3, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued a circular mentioning that foreign diplomats with A/A1/A2/FA2/D/ND/M categories visas would be vaccinated.
According to the website of the Department of Immigration and passport under the Ministry of Home Affairs, there are 30 categories of visas usually issued by the Bangladesh High Commission or Embassy concerned and extended by the Department of Immigration and Passports.
These visas are for lawmakers; ministers; regional council members; mayors; government or semi-government officials, officers and employees deployed by United Nations or its organizations; international, regional agencies or organizations’ ambassadors or diplomats; personal staff of A/A2/D visa holders; non-diplomatic staff; and all of their spouses and dependent family members.
However, the circular did not mention the vaccinations of foreign nationals working in various industries and projects of Bangladesh.
Registration begins from March 17
According to the circular, the registration for these prioritized foreign populations (with six months of visa validity) will start from March 17.
Additional Director General of DGHS Prof Dr Nasima Sultana said vaccinating Bangladeshi citizens is now on their list of top priorities.
She, however, said if any government agency gives a list of legitimate foreign citizens on their own responsibility, then they will be vaccinated.
Foreign Ministry has also formed a three-member Corona Cell that is working to ensure vaccination for the foreigners staying in the country.
Dr Nabila Nowshin, one of the members of the committee, told Dhaka Tribune that there is a concern over the availability of the vaccine for which some of the prior groups have been selected.
“We have thought about the foreign citizen holding NVR. We will include them in our next phase,” she added.
They have to apply to the ministry after the announcement is made and after checking their valid documents, they would be allowed to be vaccinated, said the official.