Dhaka requests Saudi Arabia to exempt Bangladeshi expats from quarantine
During the conversation, Dr Momen also sought cooperation from the Saudi government in Rohingya repatriation, as Bangladesh is giving top priority to this issue
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has requested the Saudi Arabia authorities to exempt Bangladeshi workers from quarantine when they fly to the middle-eastern country after completing their quarantine in the home country.
The foreign minister spoke to his Saudi Arabian counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud on the phone, reads a press release issued on Saturday.
Presently, Bangladeshi workers have to go through compulsory seven-day quarantine in Saudi Arabia upon their arrival.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh workers can save some costs, if they are exempted from quarantine in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Arabian foreign minister assured Momen of taking the proposal into account.
Minister Momen also thanked the Saudi government for allowing Bangladeshi workers return to their workplaces in the country during the Covid-19 pandemic.
No foreigner will get permission to enter Saudi Arabia from any country during the Covid-19 pandemic this year, but foreigners who are staying there now can participate in Hajj along with Saudi people, the Saudi foreign minister said.
During the conversation, Dr Momen also sought cooperation from the Saudi government in Rohingya repatriation, as Bangladesh is giving top priority to this issue.
Accepting the visit invitation from Dr Momen, the Saudi foreign minister said he will visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.