Time to Reintroduce COVID Tests for Inbound Passengers: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Sunday that the time has come to re-introduce coronavirus testing for every inbound passenger in all ports after a major COVID-19 outbreak across the globe.

"The time has come again. From now on, tests should be carried out for incoming citizens from abroad, placing them in quarantine, and precautions should be taken in all ports, including airports," she said. 

Sheikh Hasina said this while discussing the 'Bangabandhu National Youth Day 2020' in effect. The event was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium while she was attending it from her official residence in Ganobhaban, reports UNB.   

The Prime Minister said that everyone coming from abroad must carry out this check to ensure the safety of the citizens of the country.

She asked the authorities concerned to take steps.

In this connection, she mentioned that, at the initial stage of the outbreak, the government had issued 21 guidelines to keep people in the country safe from infection with COVID-19.

She said that COVID-19 has spread to the world again on a large scale, and several countries in Europe, including the United Kingdom, have declared new lockdowns.

"We must stay secure [and] use masks if we go out in public," she said. "Use masks, keep yourself and others safe."

The first youth day of November was named the Bangabandhu National Youth Day on the occasion of the birth of Father Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Zahid Ahsan Russell, presided over the program where Youth and Sports Secretary Mohammad Akhter Hossain also spoke.

Earlier, Minister of State Russell handed over the Bangabandhu National Youth Award (cash, certificate and crest) to 21 successful self-employed youth and five successful youth organisers in recognition of their exemplary contribution to the creation of self-employed projects.

Commemorative stamps and envelopes were unveiled on the occasion of National Youth Day in Bangabandhu.