Covid: Rapid antigen tests yet to start at airports
Tests were supposed to start from Jan 13, when the fresh pandemic curbs came into effect
Bangla Tribune
Tribune Desk
Publish : 21 Jan 2022, 11:30 AMUpdate : 21 Jan 2022, 11:30 AM
The health directorate is yet to start rapid antigen tests for incoming passengers at the three international airports, in line with the new set of restrictions imposed by the government amid Omicron fear.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) was supposed to start the tests on January 13, when the fresh curbs came into effect.
However, it is already struggling to check vaccination certificates and Covid-19 test reports of those coming from abroad.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, which operates the most flights among the three international airports, handles around 20,000 passengers every day – half of which are arrivals.
Bangla Tribune
Lack of facilities, including space, and shortage of manpower are big hindrances for the DGHS to conduct tests.
“Some 10,000 passengers land here every day from different countries. There is not enough space for them to queue up while their vaccine certificates and Covid-19 test reports are verified,” Dr Md Shahriar Sajjad, an assistant director of the airport’s Health Office, told Bangla Tribune.
Acknowledging the space issue at the airports, DGHS Additional Director General Dr Ahmedul Kabir told the online news outlet that they were trying to start antigen testing for every passenger as soon as possible.
The offices concerned are scheduled to meet at Dhaka airport on Sunday to figure out a way to run rapid antigen tests.
The government on January 10 issued 11 guidelines, effective from January 13 until further notice, in light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.
The guidelines include mandatory wearing of masks, ban on rallies and public gatherings as well as antigen testing of international travellers arriving in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh recorded 10,888 new Covid-19 cases at an infection rate of 26.37% in the 24 hours to 8am on Thursday.
The country’s daily test positivity rate has been witnessing an increase since January 1.
A test positivity rate of over 5% is a cause for concern for any country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Covid: Rapid antigen tests yet to start at airports
Tests were supposed to start from Jan 13, when the fresh pandemic curbs came into effect
The health directorate is yet to start rapid antigen tests for incoming passengers at the three international airports, in line with the new set of restrictions imposed by the government amid Omicron fear.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) was supposed to start the tests on January 13, when the fresh curbs came into effect.
However, it is already struggling to check vaccination certificates and Covid-19 test reports of those coming from abroad.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, which operates the most flights among the three international airports, handles around 20,000 passengers every day – half of which are arrivals.
Lack of facilities, including space, and shortage of manpower are big hindrances for the DGHS to conduct tests.
“Some 10,000 passengers land here every day from different countries. There is not enough space for them to queue up while their vaccine certificates and Covid-19 test reports are verified,” Dr Md Shahriar Sajjad, an assistant director of the airport’s Health Office, told Bangla Tribune.
Acknowledging the space issue at the airports, DGHS Additional Director General Dr Ahmedul Kabir told the online news outlet that they were trying to start antigen testing for every passenger as soon as possible.
The offices concerned are scheduled to meet at Dhaka airport on Sunday to figure out a way to run rapid antigen tests.
The government on January 10 issued 11 guidelines, effective from January 13 until further notice, in light of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases.
The guidelines include mandatory wearing of masks, ban on rallies and public gatherings as well as antigen testing of international travellers arriving in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh recorded 10,888 new Covid-19 cases at an infection rate of 26.37% in the 24 hours to 8am on Thursday.
The country’s daily test positivity rate has been witnessing an increase since January 1.
A test positivity rate of over 5% is a cause for concern for any country, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
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