The government on Wednesday urged Bangladeshi expatriates in Africa to avoid unnecessary travel to their home country, amid a global scare over the new Omicron variant of coronavirus.
"In case of any emergency, they can come to Bangladesh. But we suggest them to defer their travel by a few days If there’s no emergency," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said.
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Dr Momen, however, made it clear that all returnees will have to undergo a 14-day mandatory institutional quarantine as part of the government measures to deal with the new African variant.
He was responding to a question at a media briefing on the World Peace Conference to be held in Dhaka from December 4-5.
Dr Momen said that a message has also been sent to the country's missions in South Africa and its neighbouring countries to discourage Bangladeshi expats from travelling abroad.
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State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were also present at the event.
President Abdul Hamid will inaugurate the World Peace Conference virtually, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the closing ceremony as the chief guest.