Cabinet orders mandatory quarantine for all Bangladeshis returning from abroad

The cabinet today issued a set of directives, including sending returnees from abroad to a 14-day compulsory quarantine as part of precautionary measures against the coronavirus.

The cabinet, in its regular weekly meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair at her office in Dhaka, also directed the authorities concerned, particularly the local administration, to pursue its awareness campaign across the country to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said, "The cabinet today took some decisions including sending people who came from abroad to a 14-day compulsory quarantine."

The divisional commissioner of Rangpur was sent to quarantine for 14 days immediately after he had returned from abroad, he said.

He added that the cabinet also decided to take legal action if anyone violates its directives.

In this context, he referred to the deputy commissioner of Manikganj fining a Saudi returnee Taka 10,000 as he violated the quarantine related directives.

He said they have asked government officials and employees not to come to office with fever, cough and cold related symptoms.