A total 3,350 Bangladeshis have returned to Bangladesh from India through Benapole land port since April 26, despite travel restrictions and locked borders.
Among the returnees from India, 17 have tested positive for Covid-19, said Benapole immigration officials.
Utpal Roy, medical officer of Benapole immigration health department, said people returning from India are being sent into 14-day mandatory quarantine.
Those who are already infected or getting infected later are being sent to the red zone of Jessore General Hospital’s Covid-19 unit, said the medical officer.
Benapole port immigration sources said most of the returnees went to India for treatment and are returning with special permission from the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata.
Some of the returnees said Bangladeshis would not have gone to India for treatment if domestic healthcare services were developed enough.
Officer-in-Charge of Benapole immigration check post Ahsan Habib said Bangladeshis are returning from India with NOCs every day, and Indians stuck in Bangladesh are following the same procedure.
Bangladesh’s border with India has remained shut since April 26, as the number of Covid-19 cases has recently been soaring in the neighbouring country. The movement of cargo has remained unaffected.
Bangladeshi citizens travelling to India for treatment with visas that are valid for less than 15 days are allowed to re-enter Bangladesh only through the Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari land ports after taking permission from Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala with Covid-19 negative certificates.
