The government has decided to suspend air travels with South Africa where the coronavirus's new variant Omicron has been detected.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque said this in an audio message to the media.
"We are aware of the South African variant. This variant is very aggressive. That is why air communication with South Africa will be suspended," he said in the message.
"The screening process has been further strengthened at all airports and land ports under the instructions from health ministry," the minister said.
Hygiene rules and mask mandate are also being beefed up across the country, he added.
Instructions have already been given at the district level to this effect, the message also said.
Adequate precautions will also be taken for those arriving to Bangladesh from other countries, the minister added.
Meanwhile, Senior Information Officer of the health ministry Maidul Islam Pradhan told media that before departing for Geneva in Switzerland, the minister gave directives to the officials of the ministry and health department to take necessary steps to suspend flights with South Africa.
"He gave the instructions at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before his departure for attending a meeting of World Health Organization," Maidul said.
Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam, director general of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and its two other officials are accompanying the minister to Geneva, the IO said.
They will return on December 5, he added.
