Staff Reporter :
Evacuation of Bangladeshi students from Wuhan will be delayed due to lockdown imposed by China.
The Chinese authorities have prevented anyone from leaving Wuhan, the city of 11 million people at the heart of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, which has so far infected nearly 3000 people and killed 100 others.
The fast spreading virus has become a major worry for the parents of Bangladeshi students.
In view of the prevailing situation, Bangladesh has already requested the Chinese Foreign Ministry to consider making arrangements for the Bangladeshi students to leave. But China has imposed a complete lockdown making delay in their return, officials said.
“Bangladeshi expatriates in Wuhan cannot be brought back as the Chinese authorities have prevented anyone from living the city,” said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
He said Bangladesh government has already taken preparation to being them back China told us that no one would be allowed to leave the city for the next two weeks or a minimum of 14 days.
China has responded similarly to requests made by other countries, including India and US, for repatriation of their citizens, he said.
About 500 Bangladeshi students are studying in different universities in Wuhan and its surrounding areas.
Momen said Bangladesh has stepped up monitoring of passengers arriving from China, especially from Wuhan. “We have stepped up monitor everyone arriving from the country. Their travel records and details have been asked to persevere so that we can identify the cause if anything happens,” he added.
