Bangladesh
Bangladesh-India Border Bangladesh-India border to remain shut for 14 more days
Dhaka, June 29: Although the coronavirus situation in India is improving, the government has decided to keep the border closed with the neighbouring country for another 14 days. The land border with India will be closed till July 14. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Foreign Secretary Masud bin Momen on Monday (June 28).
A senior Foreign Ministry official said, "The meeting decided that the Corona situation in our border districts is now on the rise. That's why it's not right to take risks right now. Therefore, it has been decided to close the land border with India till July 14."
The official further said that during this period, Bangladeshis will be able to enter the border from India three days a week i.e. Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday with proper documents.
On April 26, Bangladesh closed all borders with India for 14 days due to the deteriorating situation in India. Later, the border closure period was extended in several phases. According to the latest announcement, the border will be closed till June 30.
However, despite the closure of the border, Bangladeshi nationals stranded in the country in the first phase who had a visa validity of 15 days or less were given the opportunity to return home on the condition of a 14-day mandatory quarantine. Bangladeshis are still able to return to the country under the same rules.
After the border was closed, Bangladeshis got access to the country through Benapole, Akhaura and Burimari land ports. Later, however, the government gave the opportunity to return through Darshana, Hili and Sonamukhi ports. After that, the government stopped the return of Bangladeshis to the country through Sonamukhi port as the incidence of corona increased in the border district of Chapainawabganj.
However, despite the Corona situation, Bangladesh's freight traffic with India is continuing.
