Qatar bans arrivals from Bangladesh, 13 countries

Qatar has imposed a ban on the entry of people arriving from Bangladesh and 13 other countries due to concerns over the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a government statement.

The decision will come into effect from today (March 9).

The 13 other countries include China, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand.

Qatar Airways had previously suspended flights to and from Italy.

Three new cases of the deadly coronavirus were confirmed in Qatar, the Ministry of Health announced, raising the total number of reported cases to 15 as of Sunday, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

Qatar, which reported its first case on February 29 in a citizen who returned from Iran, had previously evacuated its citizens and Kuwait's from Iran as the virus has swept through the country quickly.

The move came as airlines across the globe have suspended flights with countries hit particularly hard by coronavirus.

Source: Agencies

 

Dhaka/AI