BD to continue int’l passenger flights with restrictions from June 4
Dhaka: Bangladesh is going to continue scheduled international passenger flights to/from a selected group of countries with revised restrictions from June 4 with efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The Civil Aviation Authority on June 1 issued a circular with instructions in this regard which stated that scheduled passengers' flights to and from Dhaka shall continue as per their approved time slots under the Summer-2021 schedule.
However, air bubble flights will remain suspended until further notice, the circular added.
According to the revised restrictions, no incoming (as a point of origin) or outgoing passengers are allowed to/from (Group A) Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay. Only Bangladeshi expatriates/citizens visited (not residing) the countries mentioned in the previous 15 days of travel to Bangladesh are allowed to travel to Dhaka provided they have special approval from the competent authority of Bangladesh.
On arrival, they must complete a mandatory 14 days of institutional quarantine at government nominated hotels on passengers’ own expenses. Proof of hotel booking shall be produced during check-in and the airline representatives must verify it before issuing the boarding passes.
On the other hand, any incoming passengers from (Group B) Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Greece, Kuwait, and Oman (as a point of origin) are permitted to travel to Dhaka. They will also have to complete a mandatory 14 days institutional quarantine at government approved hotels as well.
There is no restriction on the outgoing passengers to these countries. Passengers of these countries can have transit via the countries mentioned earlier (Group A), provided that the passengers remain confined within the airport under the close supervision of the airlines.
As an exception, incoming passengers originating from Kuwait, and Oman shall have to complete a three-days institutional quarantine at government approved facilities or hotels. Airlines shall be confirmed that seats are available at the government institutional quarantine facilities or the passengers have proof of hotel reservation for institutional quarantine. If seats are not available at the government facilities, the passengers shall be boarded in the flights only after ensuring the confirmation of hotel reservation.
Upon completion of the three-days institutional quarantine, a medical test will be carried out. The passenger will be released to complete a total of 11 days of home quarantine if the medical test result is satisfactory. In case of unsatisfactory results, the passenger shall have to go for isolation at government nominated facilities at their own expenses or continue with the institutional quarantine.
No restriction for outgoing passengers to travel to the countries of this Group (B), said the circular.
Lastly, incoming/outgoing passengers are allowed to/from all the other countries (Group C) apart from the ones mentioned. Incoming passengers from these countries of origin will have to undergo a 14-days strict home quarantine. However, if any Covid-19 symptoms are detected/observed on arrival, he/she shall be sent to Government Authorised Hospital for a further checkup or depending on the nature/intensity of the symptoms, will be sent to isolation at government nominated facilities or Hotel at passenger’s own expenses. Passengers originating from this group (C) can also have transit via the countries mentioned in Group A and B provided that the passengers remain confined within the airport under the close supervision of the airlines.
Also, all incoming/outgoing passengers, except the children below 10 years old, shall mandatorily possess PCR-based COVID-19 negative certificate. The PCR test shall be done within 72 hours of the flight departure time.
Outgoing passengers too shall follow the latest restrictions or requirements imposed by the transit/destination country. Airlines concerned shall keep all the passengers well informed about the requirements and formalities of origin/transit/destination countries well before their travel.
For capacity restrictions for airlines:
- Outgoing flights from Dhaka: No capacity restriction for Narrow Bodied (Single isle) aircraft. Wide Bodied (Twin isle) aircraft shall carry a maximum of 280 passengers, except B777 and B747 aircraft shall be entitled to carry up to 350 passengers.
- Incoming flights to Dhaka: A maximum of 140 passengers in the Narrow-Bodied (Single isle) aircraft and 200 passengers by the Wide Bodied (Twin isle) aircraft can be carried.
- Incoming and outgoing flights: In both the cases of Narrow-Body or Wide-Body aircraft, at least the last row of the economy class and one seat of business class (unless otherwise instructed) cabin shall be kept vacant for any suspected Covid- 19 positive passenger(s).
Moreover, all health directives including disinfection, social distancing, etc procedures at the airport or in the aircraft shall strictly comply with the other directives of CAAB.
