The returnees were allowed entry into the country on Monday although it had initially been decided that they would be turned away. The government moved to bar travellers from Europe after hundreds of Bangladeshis returned from Italy which is grappling with a severe outbreak of the virus. Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday announced a two-week suspension of all flights from Europe due to the coronavirus. He added that if any airliner arrived in Bangladesh with passengers from any European country, it would have to take them back at its own expense. On why the curbs were relaxed on this occasion, Mafidur said, "A few Bangladeshis had made a request to the foreign ministry seeking a return to the country.

Source: bd News24 March 16, 2020 15:00 UTC