Digital thermal machine out of order for a year at Benapole Immigration
James Abdur Rahim Rana, Jashore
The digital thermal machine at Benapole Immigration for checking body temperature has been broken for a year. After the new type of corona was detected in India, the government has ordered precautionary measures to be taken at all land, sea and airports in the country, but no preventive measures have been taken at Benapole port so far. Indian truck drivers are freely entering the port without following health rules.
Besides , passport holders are also traveling between India and Bangladesh without masks. There is no hygiene rule among the workers using the port, starting from security personnel. This increases the risk of rapid spread of infection.
However, the port authorities say that they will take all necessary steps to protect health rules. Meanwhile, it is reported that 7 people have died of corona in the country in the last 8 days. Of these, three have died in Jashore.
Trade stakeholders say that Bangladesh has free trade and passport-holding travel with India through Benapole port. Recently, in order to take preventive measures in the event of a new type of corona infection in India, the Bangladesh government's Health Ministry issued a notification on June 11 ordering security measures at all land ports, sea ports and airports in the country. However, 10 days have passed since this instruction was issued, but no precautions have been taken at the country's busiest Benapole port.
More than 5 to 6 hundred truck drivers from different Indian provinces are entering the country without masks every day. Bangladeshi truck drivers are also freely entering the port. Apart from this, no security measures have been noticed among the workers unloading goods at the port. Last time, when the infection increased in the country, trade was closed on this route for three months due to India's ban.
Meanwhile, even though passport-holders from India entered without masks, health workers did not pay attention. However, if you look at the media workers, they were only seen doing their duty. This increases the risk of rapid spread of infection.
Benapole Import and Export Association Vice President Aminul Haque said, "Last time, when the corona outbreak increased, traders suffered economic losses due to the three-month trade shutdown. If advance precautions are not taken, they may have to face the same situation as before."
Benapole C&F Agent Association member Bilkis Sultana Sathi said, "The risk of infection is increasing as there is no protection system from corona at Benapole Port. I request the port to take necessary steps in this regard." The temperature of suspected passengers is being measured only with hand thermal.
In this regard, Benapole Immigration Health Department Assistant Medical Officer Abdul Majid said, "The digital thermal machine at immigration for checking body temperature has been broken for a year. Currently, health checks of suspected passengers are being conducted with hand thermal. However, many are expressing reluctance to take precautions. So far, no infected person from India has been found. The health official requested everyone to take precautions and not panic.
Benapole Port Deputy Director Mamun Kabir Tarafdar said they have ordered everyone to wear masks to prevent COVID-19 infection. Other safety measures will be taken at the port very soon.
