In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has directed all Bangladeshi missions to provide services while ensuring the safety of staff, and to look after the safety of expats.
A circular sent to the country's 77 embassies, high commissions and consulate generals recently by the Director General (administration) of the Foreign Ministry, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, gave several directives with respect to operating the missions under the current circumstances.
All the missions have been directed to strictly follow the guidelines of the host countries.
If necessary, the chiefs of missions have been authorized to adjust office timing so that rush hours can be avoided, in a bid to maintain social distancing.
About Independence Day celebrations on Thursday, the missions were asked to follow local guidelines. Receptions on this occasion could be cancelled if there are restrictions on gathering placed by host countries.
According to officials concerned, the planned receptions and ceremonies by the missions might have already been cancelled. Instead, the day will be observed by mission and embassy staff, and when possible, through social media, they said.
The Foreign Ministry encouraged the missions to provide consular services online to minimize contact with people as much as possible.
