Coronavirus screening in Bangladesh inadequate: Chinese ambassador

Since most neighbouring countries have reported cases of coronavirus infections, Bangladesh is now at risk and Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh has urged all to stay alert.

Ambassador Li Jiming also said Bangladesh's measures to contain coronavirus are not satisfactory.

Almost 95 percent of new cases of coronavirus are being detected outside China yet Bangladesh government is only screening passengers coming from China at the airports, the envoy said while briefing reporters at a Keraniganj event.

He was being briefed on the current operations at Padma Bridge and Padma Rail link projects being implemented by a subsidiary company of China Railway Group Limited.

The envoy also criticised the screening process and termed it "unscientific". Li Jiming also urged Bangladesh authorities to screen everyone entering the country and discouraged the government against holding large gatherings.

Until now no Chinese national in Bangladesh has been infected with coronavirus, he added according to UNB. 

Currently, Bangladesh needs to pay more attention to strengthening the precaution for personnel exchange with other epidemic-stricken countries.

"We firmly believe that the COVID-19 epidemic will not have a decisively negative impact on China and the global economy," the ambassador said accoridng to UNB.