Staff Reporter 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) has extended the restrictions on domestic and international passenger flights for eight more days with effect from 21 April as per government guidance and instructions.

The announcements came hours after the government extended the strict lockdown till 28 April to contain the spread of Covid-19.

"The restriction on scheduled domestic passenger flights and charter flights operation is extended with effect from 21 April until 28 April," read a circular issued by CAAB. Earlier, the domestic flights were suspended for a week from 14 April following an alarming surge in Covid-19 infections in the country.

However, workers wishing to join work in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Singapore will be able to board specially operated flights subject to Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) clearance, read a notification issued by CAAB.

Besides, no restriction will be imposed on the movement of chartered flights, cargo flights and special flights carrying high commissioners of different countries and foreign nationals.

Flight operations on international routes from Bangladesh resumed on 16 June last year after over two months of suspension due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier on the day, the authorities extended the ongoing suspension of domestic flights for another week until 28 April.

Bangladesh set another grim record as 112 more deaths from Covid-19 were reported in the last 24 hours ending at 8am Monday. With Monday's figures, the Covid-19 death toll reached 10,497 in the country with a fatality rate of 1.45%. The country also reported 4,271 new cases in the last 24 hours.