As many as 247 more Bangladeshis, who were stranded in India due to travel restrictions enforced in a bid to stop Indian coronavirus variants from entering the country, have returned to Bangladesh through Benapole land port in Jessore.
They returned from India on Friday after getting clearance from the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata.
With the new arrival, a total of 936 Bangladeshis returned from the neighbouring country until Friday since the imposition of the 14-day ban on April 26.
The returnees are undergoing 14 days’ mandatory institutional quarantine at hotels and elsewhere in Benapole and other areas at their own expenses.
The district administration along with the law enforcement agencies is struggling with the increasing number of returnees to maintain the proper quarantine procedure.
Meanwhile, the district administration requisitioned almost all the hotels in Jessore for the quarantine purpose.
Besides, a number of hotels in Satkhira, Khulna, Jhenaidah, and Narail have also been turned into quarantine centres.
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The returnees, who are in financial trouble, have been taken to Gazir Dargah Madrasa in Jhikargachha upazila of Jessore. The district administration is providing them food.
Jessore Deputy Commissioner Md Tamijul Islam Khan said: "Many more people are coming back from India than we had thought. All the hotels in Benapole are full. That is why we requisitioned other hotels in Jessore town in consultation with the hotel owners.
"The owners have agreed to provide low-cost accommodation facilities to the returnees. The district administration will take all necessary steps to ensure hygiene in these hotels," he added.
Jessore Additional Superintendent of Police Sheikh Salauddin Shikder said police and Ansar members have been deployed in the areas where the returnees are undergoing quarantine.
"They will be allowed to return home after the 14-day institutional quarantine, subject to Covid-19 negative certificate," he said.
So far, six of the returnees were found positive for Covid-19 and admitted to the coronavirus unit at Jessore General Hospital.
Bangladesh has sealed its land borders with India for two weeks effective from 6am on April 26 to 6pm on May 9 with a view to containing Covid-19 transmission from the neighbouring country. Trade through the borders will continue, however.
The second wave of Covid-19 is ripping through India, with lack of hospital beds, medical oxygen, and adequate healthcare bringing the nation to its knees.
