Foreign Minister urges expats not to return home unless necessary
The minister urged all expatriate Bangladeshis to abide by proper health care directives to keep themselves safe from the coronavirus infection
![Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen. Picture: Collected](https://947631.windlasstrade-hk.tech/sites/default/files/styles/big_2/public/images/2020/01/12/momen.jpg)
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has requested Bangladeshi expat workers not to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic unless it is necessary.
The minister made the statement today while addressing the inaugural ceremony of "Probash Bondhu Call Centre" which has been set up for giving healthcare and advice to Bangladeshi expats in Saudi Arabia.
The minister attended the ceremony through videoconferencing from the foreign ministry premises in Dhaka.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad and State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak were also present at programme.
Dr Momen said, "Expatriates are the assets of Bangladesh. All foreign embassies of Bangladesh have been directed to assist them."
The minister urged all expatriate Bangladeshis to abide by proper health care directives to keep themselves safe from the coronavirus infection.
The minister said, "An opportunity has been created for 22 lakh Bangladeshi expats in Saudi Arabia to avail healthcare facilities sitting at their homes."
This facility is also available in New York, London and cities of a few other countries of the world, the minister added.
The call centre has been set up with the help of a2i and ICT division. Expatriate doctors will provide them with healthcare service through the call centre from 9 am to 9 pm every day.