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Twenty-three Bangladeshi nationals, quarantined in the suburbs of Indian capital for 14 days, will return home on Saturday afternoon after they tested negative for the Coronavirus.
They will leave New Delhi for Dhaka by a flight of Indigo Airlines at around 12:15pm with financial support from the government of Bangladesh, reports UNB.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran is scheduled to see them off at Indira Gandhi International Airport, an official told UNB on Friday.
During their stay in the camp, the Bangladesh mission was in constant touch with the camp authorities to know about their health condition and welfare.
The mission took care of their Delhi-Dhaka air travel expenses.
The Bangladesh nationals, mostly students and a family with a kid, went through necessary health check-up on Thursday and no-one was found infected with coronavirus.
"We'll get health clearance certificates on Friday and will fly for Dhaka on Saturday afternoon," one of the students from the 23-member group told UNB over phone.
They were evacuated from China’s Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus, on February 27 by a special Indian Air Force flight with a number of other Indian nationals, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Bangladesh brought back 312 of its nationals from China on February 1 and the remaining Bangladeshis got registered to return home.
After the first (thermal) screening at the isolation bay at the airport, the group - 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals including 8 families and 5 children - were provided with basic facilities required at the centre as done with the previous lot of evacuees.
The group of foreign nationals included 23 from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives, and one each from Madagascar, South Africa and the US.
The quarantine camp at Chhawla in New Delhi was prepared by ITBP in just 48 hours prior to arrival of the first batch from Wuhan on February 1, 2020.
The Bangladesh nationals were quarantined in special facilities, said the High Commission in Dhaka.
"We would like to extend our gratitude for the amazing work done by Indian Air Force and the Indian government," another student told UNB.
On behalf of the group, she said living in a locked down situation for a long period has always been traumatic for all of them and it was a great relief when the Indian Embassy in Beijing spontaneously responded and agreed to take them onboard.
In a message of appreciation shared with UNB, the student wishing to remain unnamed said China, their second home for study purpose, has also succeeded in providing them with adequate precautions.
"Their devotion towards keeping us safe and making sure of our health was selfless. They deserve the credit for being very responsible and sensitive for foreigners equally like their own nationals. We will always remember your support," the message reads.
The Bangladeshi citizens said the professionalism that the Indian officials demonstrated has impressed all of them.
They appreciated Indian officials positive attitude and their ability to resolve their issues immediately with patience.
"We're grateful for your generous gesture for providing us with a safe shelter, food, friendly environment and good facilities at ITDP ( Indo Tibetan Border Police) in New Delhi," said the students.
Having India as a neighbouring country is one of the best things that happened to them, said one of the students. "Thank you once again for all your efforts."
Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and three other local carriers have decided to suspend their flights to India following New Delhi’s latest decision.
However, both the Indian side and Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi are in touch to ensure the smooth return of them on Saturday, said a student who is waiting to return home.
All valid visas issued by the Indian High Commission or the Assistant High Commissions of India in Bangladesh on or before March 12 will remain suspended from March 13 to till April 15.
No new visa shall be issued from March 13, 2020, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Thursday.
In view of the existing spread of COVID-19, the government of India has issued the instructions on travel to India.
India has suspended all the existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organisations, employment, project visas till April 15.
This came into effect from 1200 GMT on March 13 at the port of departure, said the Press Information Bureau of India on Wednesday.
The death toll from the coronavirus has crossed 5,000 globally. According to worldometer, the Covid-19 disease killed a total of 5,082 people as of Friday evening. Besides, it has infected 138,271 people around the world.
In the past two weeks, the number of cases reported outside China has increased almost 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has almost tripled.