Govt Not Thinking China Travel Ban: Foreign Ministry

In striking contrast to the statement made by a cabinet minister on Bangladesh about a travel ban on China in the wake of the latest coronavirus epidemic, the top official of the foreign ministry said the government has no such proposals.

"Bangladesh has no plans to implement a travel ban to China," Foreign Minister Masud Bin Momen said today.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque said yesterday: "Most Bangladeshis travel to China for business purposes and it would be disastrous if the virus spreads to Bangladesh. The proposed temporary travel ban would be discussed with urgency at the inter-ministerial meeting scheduled for 28 January."

The death count from the rapidly spreading virus has increased to 81 in China today with more than 2,800 infected.

The virus has already spread to over ten countries including the United States, Japan, and neighboring India. The small number of confirmed cases outside China are related to people traveling from the country, but no deaths have been reported elsewhere.