DGHS urges avoiding travel to India amid rising Covid risk

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has urged Bangladeshi citizens to avoid traveling to India and other countries experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases unless absolutely necessary.

This advisory comes as several new coronavirus subvariants, including Omicron LF7, XFG, JN-1, and NB 1.8.1, are rapidly spreading in neighboring countries, particularly India. The directive, issued Monday and signed by Professor Dr. Halimur Rashid, director of the DGHS’s Communicable Disease Control (CDC) wing, stresses the importance of heightened vigilance.

“All land, sea, and airports must strengthen screening at International Health Regulations (IHR) desks and carefully monitor passengers arriving from and departing to high-risk countries,” the notice states.

The DGHS has called for the immediate enforcement of precautionary measures nationwide. These include frequent handwashing for at least 20 seconds, wearing masks in public places, maintaining a distance of at least three feet from anyone showing symptoms of illness, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, and covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Port authorities have been instructed to use thermal scanners or digital handheld thermometers to conduct non-contact temperature checks on travelers. Additionally, healthcare facilities are advised to maintain sufficient stocks of masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline workers.

Public awareness campaigns are also being encouraged to educate people on preventing infection.

The advisory follows the recent death of a Covid-19 patient in Bangladesh. Although the overall situation is not yet considered alarming, health officials have confirmed the presence of the highly transmissible XFG and XFC subvariants—both part of the JN-1 Omicron lineage—within the country.

Citizens exhibiting mild symptoms are advised to stay home and self-isolate, while those whose symptoms worsen should seek hospital care. Suspected patients should wear masks at all times.

The DGHS reiterates its warning: unless travel is absolutely urgent, avoid trips to India and other affected nations to help curb the spread of Covid-19.