The United Arab Emirates and Thailand on Monday joined Malaysia and Maldives to close their doors for travellers from Bangladesh and its carriers in fear of the spread of new variants of Covid-19.
These countries also banned the nationals from other South Asian countries following a sharp rise in Covid-19 outbreak in the region.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority of the United Arab Emirates announced the suspension on Monday.
They said that it is also valid for transit passengers coming from certain countries and the decision goes to be effective from Wednesday.
However, the flights between the four countries will continue to allow the transport of passengers from the UAE to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka and the transfer of exempted groups from these countries to the UAE who have applied for exemption.
A Reuters report from Bangkok on Monday said Thailand has barred the entry of foreign nationals from Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.
The measure follows the detection of the variant in two Thai nationals returning from Pakistan during testing conducted in government quarantine. The ban follows similar moves by other countries in the region, foreign ministry said.
Maldives on Saturday imposed a restriction on travellers from seven South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, for visiting the country amid rising Covid-19 cases in the region.
In a message posted on the website of Maldives immigration authorities, the country said that the precautionary actions would be effective from Sunday.
“Tourists from South Asian countries are restricted to travel and stay in inhabited islands,” it said
“Entry will not be granted to Work Visa holders arriving from South Asian countries.
“As such, the above restrictions apply to travellers from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka,” it added.
Earlier on May 6, Malaysia also banned travellers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the ban covered all categories of long-term social visit pass holders, business travellers and social visitors.
However, exemptions are given to holders of diplomatic and official passports as provided for under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.
