The government is going to make Covid-19 negative certificate mandatory for every incoming passenger from foreign countries, said Prof Khurshid Alam, director general of the Directorate General of Health Services.
Besides, the DGHS will also set up Covid-19 sample collection booths at quarantine centres in Ashkona Hajj Camp and in Uttara’s Diabari, the DGHS chief said while visiting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday.
Till now, inbound passengers via air or sea ports with Covid-19 negative certificates are being asked to stay in home quarantine, while those without negative certificates are being sent to two institutional quarantine centres in Dhaka and in Chattogram.
Though negative certificate for inbound passengers has been made mandatory earlier, many are not complying. The new decision will stop such practices, Habibur Rahman, spokesperson for the DGHS, who was with the DG during the visit.
A circular in this regard may be issued within days, he added.
Sources said the issue of making Covid-19 certificate mandatory was discussed in the cabinet recently.
