The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has strongly advised Bangladeshi nationals to refrain from travelling to India and other nearby countries currently experiencing a spike in Covid-19 infections—unless such travel is unavoidable.
The advisory, issued on June 8 and published on the official DGHS website, highlights growing concerns over the rapid transmission of new Covid-19 subvariants such as Omicron LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB 1.8.1. The guidance comes in the wake of a recent Covid-related death reported in Bangladesh on June 5.
Signed by Professor Halimur Rashid, Line Director of the DGHS’s Communicable Disease Control wing, the directive stresses the need for heightened public health measures. It mandates increased surveillance and screening at all entry points, including land borders, seaports, and airports. Health officials at these ports have been instructed to use thermal scanners and contactless thermometers to monitor body temperatures.
“All points of entry must activate International Health Regulations (IHR) desks and closely monitor passengers coming from high-risk regions,” the directive states.
To contain the spread of the virus, citizens have been urged to follow key preventive measures: regular handwashing for at least 23 seconds, wearing masks in public, maintaining a three-foot distance from symptomatic individuals, avoiding touching the face with unclean hands, and covering the mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing.
The DGHS also emphasized stockpiling adequate protective gear—such as masks, gloves, and PPE—for frontline healthcare workers.
People showing mild symptoms are advised to isolate at home, while those experiencing severe conditions should seek immediate hospital care. Suspected patients must wear masks, and in emergencies, contact the IEDCR hotline at 01401196293.
In line with the directive, Dhaka Mass Transit Company—the metro rail operating authority—has urged passengers to wear masks. A similar appeal was made by the Ministry of Railways, which requested all Eid-ul-Azha returnees to use face coverings during their journey.
The government continues to monitor the evolving situation and is urging citizens to act responsibly to prevent a potential resurgence of Covid-19 across the country.
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