Dhaka: The government of Bangladesh has announced to extend the passenger border closure with India for another 14 days while keeping cargo movement uninterrupted, as the Covid-19 crisis keeps worsening in the neighboring country India.

“It has been extended for another 14 days. The previous conditions will remain unchanged," Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East), Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The latest decision of the extension was taken at a virtual meeting held on May 8 with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen in the chair.

Earlier, the government closed the border with India for 14 days with effect from April 26 but cargo transport was allowed to operate as usual.

As per the previous decision, general movements of humans between Bangladesh and India will temporarily stay suspended through land ports.

The Bangladeshi citizens currently traveling to India for treatment and having visas with validity for less than 15 days could enter Bangladesh through only Benapole, Akhaura, and Burimari after taking permission from Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala and with a mandatory Covid-19 negative certificate done through PCR test within 72 hours of entry.

People entering Bangladesh through this process would have to stay officially quarantined for two weeks.

Except for the aforementioned three land ports, all kinds of human movements through all other land ports between the two countries would completely stay suspended for two weeks.

The vehicles carrying imported goods from India would have to be properly sterilized before entering Bangladesh borders. The drivers and helpers concerned would have to observe the Covid-19 safety protocol strictly.

Railroads will be encouraged for the export and import of goods between the two countries during this period.

Bangladesh Missions in New Delhi, Kolkata, and Agartala will convey the relevant information in this regard to the authorities concerned in India in the light of the friendly relations between the two countries.

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