Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
CHATTOGRAM: The authorities of Shah Amanat (R) International Airport have completed all preparations for restrating operation of flights on Monday as the more than two-month-long general holidays come to an end today (May 31).
The government announced a set of measures, including the protracted holidays or nationwide shutdown, on March 26 to prevent spread of novel coronavirus in Bangladesh.
The Civil Aviation Aurhotiry of Bangladesh has issued an order to resume commercial flight operation, including passenger airlines, at some airports of the country.
Shah Amanat (R) Airport officials said landing and take-off of passenger aircraft will resume at the airport following ending of the general holidays amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier, the authorities had washed the airport with germicides and chemicals to cleanse it from any virus or germs with the view to ensuring safety of passengers and airport employees.
They have created circle marks in the immigration area to ensure that both incoming and outgoing passengers confine themselves withing the round mark maintaining at least one metre physical distance from each other during checking by officials on their arrival or during departure. Washing hand with soap and sanitiser and wearing mask by all passengers at the airport have been made mandatory.
Besides, provisions have been made to make personal protective equipment available at the airport.
Manager of Shah Amanat International Airport Wing Commander Sarwar E Jaman said, "We are working to ensure the safety of passengers as well as all employees and staff at the airport. We have already taken all necessary measures in this regard from Saturday."
It may be mentioned that the airport authority had taken precautionary measures to prevent 'coronavirus' spread in Chattogram.
They had started screening the passengers who were coming from China at the airport from January 19 this year following detection of the COVID-19 in Wuhan on December 29 last year.
The screening will be continued till further directives, airport officials told the FE.
A medical team, led by Chattogram divisional health officer, has been deployed at the airport to ensure that the passengers are screened round the clock.
Earlier, the CAAB had said that limited domestic flights would resume on Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Syedpur routes from June 01.
However, the embargo on international flights will be in place until June 15, it said.
CAAB said, primarily, four domestic flights will operate on a small scale and later gradually flights on internal routes will resume.
But the flights should be operated following the health guideline, it said. Besides, Biman Bangladesh Airlines also decided to resume their flights from June 1, while the international flights will remain suspended until further notice.
Cargo, relief, air-ambulance, emergency landing and specials flights will continue operation.