Just 169 out of 8,868 foreign returnees in quarantine in Satkhira

A very few number of the people who have returned from abroad recently are in home quarantine in Bangladesh's southern district Satkhira.

Officials concerned said they received a list of 8,868 overseas returnees in the district but most of them came before instructions about quarantine was made. 

Satkhira police superintendent Md Mostafizur Rahman said they are looking for the foreign returnees to place in home quarantine.

Satkhira Sadar Hospital doctor Jayanta said as many as 169 foreign returnees have, so far, been quarantined at homes in seven upazilas.

He said, "We'll place overseas returnees in 14-day home quarantine. We could not bring all ones under quarantine as they many of them returned home before this instruction comes."

According to information given by the district police, some 8,868 people came home in the district from abroad between March 1 and March 18. About 80 percent of them returned from India.

The district civil surgeon Dr Md Hussain Safayat urged them not to be panicked rather avoid roaming outside or public places without urgent need.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner (DC) SM Mostafa Kamal warned of jail-fine against the foreign returnees kept in home quarantine if they go out or meet anyone.