At least 445 Bangladeshis, who returned home from India through the Benapole border till Friday, have been sent to institutional quarantine in Khulna, officials said Saturday.

Additional deputy commissioner of Khulna Mohammad Yusuf Ali said, “Some 445 people have returned to Bangladesh from India through the Benapole border in the district till Friday. They have been kept at 11 quarantine centres under government supervision. Police are guarding the centres."

"Three medical teams have also been formed by the Khulna Civil Surgeon's Office for their medical checkup and a magistrate has been appointed at each centre to ensure adherence to all government directives," he added.

Also read: 105 Bangladeshis return from India through Benapole

However, people kept under institutional quarantine have to pay for their food.

Khulna Civil Surgeon Dr Niaz Mohammad said, “The local administration is working to ensure quarantine and medical treatment of all India returnees.”

Bangladesh shut its border with India after the neighbouring country saw a record surge in Covid cases and fatalities. The Indian variant of the coronavirus is suspected to be more contagious.

Also read: Liquid oxygen import from India suspended at Benapole

A number of Bangladeshis returned home through the Benapole border.  All of them were tested for Covid-19 as per government norms.