Dhaka requests Saudi to waive mandatory quarantine for Bangladeshi workers

Bangladesh has requested the Saudi government to waive seven-day institutional quarantine for the Bangladeshi workers in the Kingdom as Dhaka will ensure quarantine here prior to their departure, reports UNB.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen made the request in a telephone conversation with Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday.

"We have requested them to waive seven-day quarantine in Saudi hotels and instead we will ensure seven-day quarantine in Bangladesh prior to their departure," Momen told the news agency.

He said the Saudi foreign minister replied that he would convey this message to relevant authorities.

Momen said if the Saudi government agrees it will help reduce the financial burden of Bangladeshi workers going to that country.

At present, it is mandatory for Bangladeshi workers to stay in seven-day institutional quarantine once they reach Saudi Arabia.

The foreign minister also thanked the Saudi government for allowing Bangladeshi workers in the KSA despite Covid-19 pandemic.

The Saudi foreign minister conveyed his Bangladesh counterpart that no one from outside the KSA will get opportunity to perform Hajj this year due to pandemic.

The Saudi ministries of health and hajj on Saturday announced that a total of 60,000 people will be allowed to perform the pilgrimage this year.

Momen sought support from the Saudi government over safe repatriation of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine state.

The Saudi foreign minister accepted Momen’s invitation to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.