Migrant workers, expected to travel abroad, have demanded to introduce rapid coronavirus test at Chattogram and Sylhet international airports for their convenience in addition to Dhaka airport.
It is alleged that due to lack of coronavirus sample test facilities in Sylhet and Chottogram airports, there is a huge pressure on Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka for Rapid PCR test. According to Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), they have also officially communicated with the Ministry of Health to take necessary steps to introduce Rapid PCR test at those airports.
CAAB chairman Air vice Marshal M Mofidur Rahman said, “We have written to health ministry. We are now waiting to see how quick they take action to introduce Rapid PCR test in Chottogram and Sylhet.”
Asked about the allegations of passengers’ sufferings, he said, “The labs were not able to carry out the required number of sample tests per hour at the time of setting up of the lab at HSIA. As a result, it is taking more time than we had calculated. That is why we have agreed to introduce a sample test at Chittagong Airport to reduce the pressure of passengers and avoid suffering.”
On September 29, the United Arab Emirates allowed six companies to conduct coronavirus testing at HSIA through RT-PCR labs. Those companies are testing sample with 12 RT-PCR machines. Since their introduction, it is possible to test 3000 to 4000 samples per hour there. But after the start of the sample test, the labs are not able to test this amount of samples.
As a result, there are allegations that passengers are suffering. Which create frustration among them.
According to source, a total of 3249 passengers went through coronavirus sample test from September 30 to October 4. Only four of them found coronavirus positive, later they were sent back to their homes.
