Heightened alert at Shahjalal airport for passengers arriving from India

As a precautionary measure to prevent the potential spread of the coronavirus, the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities have started screening all passengers on flights arriving in Dhaka from neighbouring India.

Currently, flights to Dhaka come from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai in India. These flights are operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Air India and IndiGo.

Group Captain S.M. Ragib Samad, Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, told the media that health safety measures have been stepped up at HSIA due to the increasing number of coronavirus infections in the neighbouring country. Multiple steps have been taken since June 2 to ensure the safety of arriving passengers. Passengers from India are now undergoing screening.

The airport has ensured an ample supply of masks and PPE. Airport authorities are currently on maximum alert, he added.

The airport also reported that thermal scanners have been installed at the immigration entry points for international flight arrivals.

Authorities stated that these precautionary measures will remain in effect until the situation improves.

According to India’s Ministry of Health, the number of active cases has reached 6,491. Kerala currently has the highest number of active cases with 1,957, followed by Gujarat with 980, West Bengal with 747, Delhi with 728, Karnataka with 423, and Maharashtra with 607.

This year, 65 people have died from COVID-19 in India. The new outbreak in India shows a predominance of LF.7, XFG, JN.1 variants, and the newly identified NB.1.8.1 sub-variant.