With total coronavirus cases reaching about 872,000 and total deaths in the neighbourhood of 43,000, countries around the world have had no choice but to shut off their borders and outright ban travel.
However, this difficult but necessary decision has left many people stranded in foreign lands, and Bangladeshis are no exception, with many now left with no choice but to extend their stay.
An ensuing cause for concern has been the inability to continue to bear the expenses abroad -- travellers naturally did not account for their extended stay, and thus did not have the required foreign currency to pay the daily bills that they are accruing.
To that end, it is good to see that Bangladesh Bank has stepped in to provide a solution, issuing a directive to banks in the country to release more foreign currency in favour of the travellers’ international credit cards, with the directive applicable until April 30.
Restricting the flow of money during these times -- particularly to Bangladeshis abroad who require it immediately -- would have been an unfavourable decision, and to see the central bank understand this is indeed encouraging.
Already, the restrictions imposed on Bangladeshis by the central bank in regards to the flow of their own money have been questionable.
Even under normal circumstances -- and not extraordinary ones such as what we are currently experiencing -- the central bank would do well to lift some of the unnecessary restrictions it places on the flow of money.
It is in times of such crises where we need effective policies and decisions to be made, those that look to benefit people instead of adding to their woes.
