Bangladesh
RT-PCR Test Covid-19: Prime Minister Hasina directs to arrange PCR tests at the airports
Dhaka, September 6: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to ensure coronavirus PCR test within four hours of flight with passengers at three international airports of the country. The airports are Hazrat Shahjalal in Dhaka, Shah Amanat in Chittagong and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet. She gave these instructions at a regular cabinet meeting chaired by her on Monday (September 6) morning.
After the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam said this at a press briefing at the Secretariat. The Prime Minister joined via video-conference from Gonobhaban and Ministers from the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat.
"Many countries have been demanding PCR testing of passengers within four, six or eight hours of flight. The matter has been under discussion for the last few days. Today, clear instructions have been given in this regard. Very soon a testing facility has to be arranged at the airport in two or three days. Exactly the same as in other countries. So that passengers can check in within four hours of the flight," the Cabinet Secretary said.
"The world's largest airports now have instant corona testing. Many countries around the world are demanding though - to have a PCR test in four, six, or eight hours. But we have said that the PCR test should be done 48 hours before. They will come to test the country where our people are. Many countries give 4 to 6 hours. The secretary said that he will be able to check from the airport according to the needs of the country he is going to," he said.
Asked when the PCR test will be launched at the airport, Khandaker Anwarul Islam said, "Instructions have been given today. Two-three days or seven days as soon as possible. Otherwise you can't go to that country."
In this regard, he said, they have seen that it will be possible to report this test within 4 hours.
