"We believe together we can overcome this pandemic situation sooner than later," said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen while briefing diplomats stationed in Dhaka.
Under this pandemic situation, he said, it is of utmost importance that all countries support each other in all possible ways in addressing this enormous public health challenge.
The briefing was held at state guesthouse Padma where State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were present.
Dr Momen also sought support from the foreign countries for the safety and security of Bangladeshi citizens who are living there.
"While we fight against this pandemic menace together, we’re also sure that your respective governments and countries would also provide safety and care to our workers and people residing in your countries," he said.
Bangladesh missions abroad are observing the situation closely and are in constant touch with the local administration and are fully cooperating with them.
"We request the governments of your countries through you to extend necessary support to the Embassies and Consulates of Bangladesh in your countries so that they can perform their duties in this challenging time," said Dr Momen.
The Foreign Minister highlighted temporary decisions taken so far here and assured the diplomats that foreign citizens in Bangladesh will be taken care of equally like own Bangladesh citizens.
"I would like to assure you all that Bangladesh government and its people will stand beside all our guests and support and care them as our own people and will provide any assistance they need in case of any issue related to COVID-19," he said.
Dr Momen said they decided not to allow persons coming from Europe to enter Bangladesh for the time being as WHO has flagged that Europe is now the ‘epicentre’ of the pandemic situation.
"We’ve put this measure in place purely on a temporary basis, till March 31, 2020, and we’ll revisit the situation as it demands," he said.
The Foreign Minister said this measure is not applicable to persons with diplomatic passports or laissez passers posted in Bangladesh.
"Also, persons leaving Bangladesh for Europe can freely do so. As for foreigners staying in Bangladesh at this moment, if they want to extend their stay here, their visas will be extended by three more months, if required," he said.
Dr Momen said they are providing whatever support people need in the country relating to COVID-19 irrespective of their nationality.
Bangladesh Prepared
On the issue of addressing the challenge of COVID-19, he said, they have formed a national committee to provide guidance to concerned people from all ministries at all levels.
Dr Momen said they have also undertaken massive awareness-raising campaigns everywhere in Bangladesh through all available media, including social media. "Local body representatives are vigilant to enforce home quarantine, if necessary."
He said the government kept four newly-built hospitals, including the Kuwait-Maitree Hospital, in Dhaka dedicated to exclusively deal with COVID-19 patients.
In addition, he said, there is one more hospital in Rajshahi to exclusively handle COVID-19 patients.
"We’ve also earmarked separate beds in every government hospital in all districts to treat COVID-19 patients. We’ve asked private hospitals to make such provisions as well," said the Foreign Minister.
A few vacant buildings have been identified where makeshift hospitals can be established in case there is any such need.
"We have stockpiles of testing kits, infra-red thermometers, isolation gowns and masks. We have trained health workers even up to upazila levels with necessary Treatment Protocol," Dr Momen said.
He said schoolchildren are also being trained to follow necessary personal hygiene. "We have stockpiles of testing kits, infra-red thermometers, isolation gowns and masks."
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh believes in working together with all countries -– regionally and globally.
"We’re a strong believer in multilateralism. Since infectious disease and pandemic don’t respect any border, we’re also engaged regionally under the Saarc Mechanism to prevent the spread of the COVID-9 menace and address the situation and issues arising out of it," he said.
On Sunday evening, all the Saarc leaders discussed the issue over videoconference and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed close collaboration among Saarc countries under the coordination of SaarcC Secretariat to address these issues.
"Our technical and health experts would be engaged in this collaborative works. Our Prime Minister also proposed global cooperation in fighting the COVID-19," said the Foreign Minister.
Imported Virus
Dr Momen said coronavirus pandemic has now spread to 143 countries/territories/areas, killing more than 5,700 people with almost 154,000 people infected all over the world.
Bangladesh was free of COVID-19 till last week and Foreign Minister said they successfully prevented entry of the virus through strong surveillance and rigorous checks-up at all international airports, seaports and land ports.
"As of now, we had only 8 COVID-19 imported cases. Three of them have already recovered. The imported cases were able to enter the country as they were free of any COVID-19 symptoms when they entered the country," Dr Momen said.
He said, "We have around 150 persons under self-quarantine. None of them are COVID-19 patients, but we have taken pre-emptive measures for public health concern."
Bangladesh on Monday announced the detection of three new coronavirus patients and confirmed that the virus has started to transmit locally.
So far, the country has recorded eight coronavirus cases.
Director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora revealed the information at a regular press briefing.