The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has decided to suspend flight operation with Nepal from Monday due to the deteriorating situation of Covid-19 pandemic in the Himalayan country.
After an 18-day closure of flight operation for new surge of Covid-19, Bangladesh from May 1 reopened its airspace for the world except 12 countries. As Nepal has been included in the list of high-risk countries in the new circular of CAAB, the number of countries under flight ban is now stood at 13.
The notification issued by CAAB on May 1 stated that international commercial flights will be resumed on special conditions except those countries considered high-risk of Covid-19 pandemic. Air bubble flights will also remain suspended. In addition, 14-day institutional quarantine has been made mandatory for passengers from high-risk countries.
Passengers from countries outside the list must show a Corona Negative Certificate. Even then, passengers were strictly instructed to observe the 14-day home quarantine. However, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait are three countries in the Middle East that are on the list of high-risk countries, but those from there have been asked to follow the three-day institutional quarantine management.
According to CAAB's notification, 13 countries, including Nepal, have been temporarily cut off due to high risk. Only expatriates and Bangladeshi citizens from those countries can come to Dhaka. Permanent residents of these countries will not be allowed to return to Bangladesh for the time being.
Institutional quarantine of 14 days is mandatory for passengers coming to Dhaka subject. Those interested in coming to the country have already been instructed to complete the booking process at the government designated hotel for quarantine.
The high-risk 13 countries are Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Georgia, Nepal, India, Iran, Mongolia, Oman, South Africa and Tunisia.
In addition, 26 countries have been included in the list of risky countries. Passengers from all these countries have been asked to ensure 14 days of strict institutional quarantine.
