Hundreds of Indian truckers are entering Bangladesh through Benapole land port flouting health guidelines, posing thousands of people at risk of contracting the deadly Indian variant of coronavirus. There are allegations that most of the truck drivers and helpers do not wear masks while entering the port from India. After leaving the trucks at Benapole port, they also walk around markets in the port using neither masks nor hand sanitizer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the coronavirus variant first found in India as a “variant of global concern”. And preliminary studies show the B.1.617 mutation spreads more easily than other variants. The variant, it says, has already spread to more than 30 countries. Bangladesh being the close neighbouring country must have to take more precautionary measures to prevent its spread.
As the news of the new Indian virus spread, health experts apprehend the possibility of the virus being transmitted through their nationals into Bangladesh. On average, 6,000 to 7,000 travellers pass through Benapole international check post daily. Equally, five to six hundred truck-loads of goods are imported from India and two to three hundred truck-loads of goods are exported to India through the port every day. But due to the negligence of the port authorities, most of the drivers and helpers are seen walking around the markets in groups without following health norms.
The port authorities said all types of masks and hand sanitizer facility would be provided very soon in consultation with the health department. The port authorities are thinking of consultation with the health department when the second wave of the coronavirus is already going on. Even port security personnel are allegedly on duty without masks.
Foreigners from different countries, including India and China, enter Bangladesh through this land port every day after a health check-up. But the Indian drivers and helpers are still out of the range of medical test. We want health check-ups for truck drivers and helpers to curb the spread of the new Indian new variant into Bangladesh.
