Government to bear Covid test expenses of UAE-bound passengers

The Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry will bear the expenses, which costs Tk1,600, of United Arab Emirates-bound workers undergoing Covid-19 tests at the RT-PCR laboratories of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting with Bangladeshi expatriates held at the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday afternoon, reports UNB. 

During the meeting, he said: "Expatriate workers are remittance fighters of our country. Their contribution to the country's economy is undeniable,” 

"The government is working to ensure their welfare. As part of this, the ministry will pay Tk1,600 for the Covid-19 test at the airport for workers going to the UAE," the minister said.

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Earlier this week, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh received the notification of arrival approval from the UAE regarding operations of RT-PCR laboratories at the airport for Covid-19 testing of passengers bound for the country.

In early August, the UAE made it mandatory for passengers travelling to the country to carry Covid-19 negative certificates from RT-PCR tests taken within six hours of departure.

On September 6, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the ministries and the authorities concerned to immediately set up labs at the country's three international airports in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet.

On September 16, the government approved Stemz Health Care (BD) Ltd, CSBF Health Centre, AMZ Hospital, Anwar Khan Modern Medical College and Hospital, ZH Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital, Gulshan Clinic Limited, and DMFR Molecular Lab & Diagnostics to conduct the Covid-19 tests at Dhaka airport.