Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh will evacuate its citizens from China following outbreak of deadly coronavirus.
The government will arrange a special flight to bring Bangladeshi citizens back from the Chinese city of Wuhan, epicenter of the outbreak of a new coronavirus, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam told reporters on Monday evening.
“A letter has already been sent to the Chinese government to bring back Bangladeshis. China has not replied yet in this regard. However, we have already taken all preparatory measures to bring back our citizens,” he added.
Shahriar Alam also said the returnees will be kept under special observation in view of precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered the government agencies to take necessary measures to bring back Bangladeshis from China and to prevent outbreak of coronavirus in Bangladesh.
Earlier, in a face book status, Shahriar Alam said, “We’ve (the ministry) already begun discussing the matter with the Chinese government. The process to bring the Bangladeshis back will be undertaken with the consent of the local administration in the context of the current situation.”
“Our main aim is the safety of our citizens. An initial directive will be issued by today to make a list of those willing to come back,” he added.
Earlier, Bangladeshi students under lockdown in China’s Wuhan city, the epicentre of the Coronavirus outbreak that has claimed 80 lives so far, appealed for help through social media, saying they want to return to Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing then said it has established contact with the ministry of foreign affairs in China in case emergency support was needed by Bangladeshi expatriates in Wuhan. According to a press release, there has been no news of any foreigner being infected by or dying from the coronavirus.
