Coronavirus epidemic related Frequently Asked Questions
As of 11 June 2020
1. How can I contact the High Commission in an emergency situation like COVID-19 pandemic?
Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. It has been collecting related authentic information in its website and issuing advisories periodically.
Additionally, Bangladesh citizens and visitors to Australia with temporary Visa as well as Permanent Residents of Bangladesh origin are encouraged to share their details at the Needs Assessment template at the High Commission website.
For any emergency, the officials of the High Commission are available at +61416285069, +61410616803 and +61476025032. Additionally, officials of Bangladesh Consulate General in Sydney may be contacted at +61424237422 and +61480255628.
Section-A: Consular related
2. I am in Australia with temporary visa (visit, study and training etc.) and unable to return to Bangladesh due to unavailability of international flight amid COVID-19 pandemic. My visa will expire soon what shall I do?
You must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. If you have a ‘no further stay condition’ attached to your visa, you will need to apply to have this waived before you make any visa application.
Please visit: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/staying-australia#4 for detailed information.
One can also apply for Australian Government Endorsed Events (COVID-19 pandemic event) temporary activity visa (subclass 408) to regularise stay in Australia.
3. I am in Australia with temporary visa (visit, study and training etc.) and unable to return to Bangladesh due to unavailability of international flight amid COVID-19 pandemic. My visa has already expired what shall I do?
If your visa has expired, you need to apply for a Bridging visa E (BVE) immediately in order to become lawful. A BVE is a short-term visa that lets you remain lawful while you make arrangements to leave Australia.
Please visit: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/staying-australia#25 for detailed information.
4. I am in New Zealand with temporary visa (visit, work, student, training etc.) and unable to return to Bangladesh due to unavailability of international flight amid COVID-19 pandemic. My visa will expire soon what shall I do?
Holders of a work, student, visitor, limited or interim visa with an expiry date of 2 April to 9 July 2020 inclusive who were in New Zealand on 2 April 2020 will have their visas automatically extended upto 25 September 2020. Confirmation of extensions will be emailed to all visa holders.
For detailed information, please visit: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/coronavirus-update-inz...
5. I am in Australia with temporary visa (visit, study and training etc.) and unable to return to Bangladesh due to unavailability of international flight amid COVID-19 pandemic. My passport will expire soon what shall I do?
You must apply for renewal of MRP as soon as possible if the validity of passport is going to expire. Please visit: https://www.bhcanberra.com/consular-services/passport/renewal-of-mrp for detailed information.
Please keep in mind that due to situation in Bangladesh, the Department of Immigration and Passport (DIP) is not fully functional and has not been printing and dispatching passports. Hence, the delivery of passport is likely to be delayed till DIP resumes functioning fully.
6. I am a Permanent Resident / Citizen of Australia having “No Visa Required” endorsement for Bangladesh. Are Australia’s travel restrictions applicable to me?
Australian citizens and permanent residents cannot travel overseas due to COVID-19 restrictions. Dual nationals/Permanent residents will need to have an exemption from the Australian Border Force Commissioner before they can leave Australia. Individuals should apply online well in advance for an exemption on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
7. Where can I get passport, visa and other consular information?
Information of regular consular services provided by Bangladesh Missions in Australia are available at the official website of the High Commission. Please consult detailed information and answers to routine consular related questions at this website.
Section B: Evacuation and Return
8. I have become stranded in Australia. How can I go back to Bangladesh?
Travel restrictions are there all over the world. Australian Government has however allowed some departure flights to a number of destinations for foreigners to leave. But these airports are not presently connected to Bangladesh. Besides, there will be requirement of transit hubs (like airports in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok) commencing full commercial operation in particular transit, for those hubs to become relevant for a passenger who wishes to travel to Bangladesh.
If Bangladesh authorities allow travel from more airports (beyond present connectivity to China), subject to withdrawal of flight ban in Bangladesh airports after 15 June 2020, only then connectivity via commercial flights could be established. You may please consult website of Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority for latest information ( http://caab.portal.gov.bd/).
9. Is there any plan for special flight for returning to Bangladesh?
Bangladesh High Commission, with the association of Victoria Bangladesh Community Federation and Melton Travel Centre, arranged a special flight to repatriate Bangladeshi nationals stranded in Australia (for travel ban and non-availability of international flights due to COVID-19) that left Melbourne on 08 May 2020 with 157 passengers for Dhaka. Since the travel ban and suspension of international flights still continue, at the requests from stranded persons who could not avail the earlier flight to return, the High Commission with the association of Melton Travels centre, Melbourne has arranged the second non-scheduled commercial flight, this time from Sydney, to Dhaka on 15 June 2020. About 180 passengers are expected to fly to Dhaka on this day. With these two flights, most Bangladesh origin persons stranded in Australia and in urgent need of returning would have returned to Bangladesh by 16 June 2020.Chance of a third special flight is very slim.
10. I have filled up the Needs Assessment form, what is the next step?
Through the “Needs Assessment Form”, the High Commission has been trying to ascertain extent of needs of our citizens and expatriates and assess how many Bangladeshis are stranded in Australia and how many of them are willing to return immediately. If special flights are arranged to Bangladesh nationals from Australia, the High Commission will contact you with further information. If the High Commission organises Special flights at some stages, priority will be accorded to the ones registered ahead.
Registration in the Needs Assessment template may also help the High Commission to link the persons in need to socio-cultural- professional entities of Bangladesh origin Australians as well as region/ city-specific Associations which have ongoing humanitarian activities.
11. How would I be able to go to my place outside Dhaka upon arrival?
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Bangladesh Government has imposed nation-wide movement restriction from 26 March till date. Any incoming passenger will be subject to quarantine requirements.
12. What are the quarantine requirements for entry into Bangladesh?
If you are able to travel to Bangladesh amid global restrictions from Australia or a country by any means, you'll need to carry a health certificate, obtained not earlier than 72 hours before travel, stating that you are not infected with Coronavirus or currently COVID- symptom free. This medical certificate needs to be submitted on arrival at the Bangladesh point of entry (airport/seaport/land port).
You may then be advised to remain under quarantine for two weeks. Health officials at the entry points would decide whether they would be self-quarantined or in government run facilities.
Diplomatic, official and Laissez Passer holders posted in diplomatic missions in Bangladesh and their family members (if holding ordinary passport) with valid visas will be exempted from producing a medical certificate. However, the diplomatic Missions are advised to kindly ensure self-quarantine if their diplomats/employees travel to Bangladesh from any COVID-19 affected country.
If any Bangladesh origin person possesses an NVR and comes to Bangladesh without the required medical certificate mentioning that the concerned person is free from the Corona Virus Symptoms, he/she would be institutionally quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days.
If any Bangladesh origin person possesses an NVR and comes to Bangladesh with the required medical certificate mentioning that the concerned person is free from the Corona Virus Symptoms, he/she would be home/self- quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days. However, if he/she is diagnosed with any symptom of Corona Virus on his/her arrival, he/she would be institutionally quarantined for 14 (fourteen) days.
You may look up to website of Civil Aviation Authority (https://caab.portal.gov.bd/site/page/12b1514d-5ffe-4ce0-888a-8cfa0008bb12) for up to date information.
Section-C: Medical assistance
13. Who should I contact if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
If you suspect having COVID-19 symptoms, we recommend that you call the 24/7 health direct number at 1800 022 222 and speak with a nurse regarding your symptoms. For details on the Australian Government’s National Health Plan concerning COVID-19, please see the Australian Government’s website.
14. Where do I get tested or treated?
If a GP (General Practitioner) deems testing for COVID-19 is necessary, he/ she will direct you to the appropriate hospitals or testing centres. Public hospitals, respiratory clinics and GPs can perform COVID-19 tests for free for people who needs to get tested. If your GP is not accessible, you may resort to a COVID-19 clinic to get tested if you have symptoms.
15. I don’t have Medicare card or other health insurance. Can I still get free of cost treatment for COVID-19?
If you don’t have adequate insurance coverage, some states and territories such as NSW, Queensland, will waive healthcare costs associated with COVID-19 if a person is treated in a public hospital. Please ask your GP or local hospital for more information.
16. Can I consult with Bangla speaking Doctors for COVID-19 related complications?
At the request of the High Commission, Bangladesh Medical Societies of Australia Inc (FBMSA) and other Doctors have prepared a pool of Bangladesh origin doctors serving in Australia. They are available for informal telephonic advice for Bangladeshi citizens in need of medical advice. Please visit the following link to get the region or city specific list and their contact numbers:
https://www.bhcanberra.com/sites/default/files/doc/
notices/Advisory-Pool-Doctor-10-4-20_000306.pdf
Section D: Related to Students
17. What remedies are available if a student faces financial difficulties?
Students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia. It is important to note that as part of their visa application, international students had to demonstrate that they could support themselves completely in their first year.
Students who have been here longer than 12 months and who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation. Please contact your superannuation provider for further information on how to access funds.
International students are recommended to contact their education provider such as Universities, Institutions etc. for assistance and information regarding their studies. Some Universities are providing supports and flexibilities like crisis support scholarship, emergency relief fund, student compassionate and hardship package etc. In addition they may refer to the Department of Education, Skills and Employment's website: https://www.dese.gov.au/ for regularly updated factsheets or access the department's dedicated email and hotline: international.students@dese.gov.au and 1300 981 621.
Please consult Advisory for International Students at https://www.bhcanberra.com/covid-19/advisories-and-updates for further details.
18. What can I do to support my community?
You can support your community by contacting friends, family and neighbours and those who are vulnerable and may need help: the elderly or people who have pre-existing medical conditions, people living alone. You may be able to assist them with shopping or essential items.
Make sure you practice safe hygiene and follow guidelines.
You are encouraged to join relief and humanitarian initiatives by Bangladesh community organisations, city or region-specific associations, socio-cultural entities and others.
19. Is Bangladesh High Commission conducting any humanitarian operations?
Bangladesh High Commission and the Consulate general in Sydney are not directly involved in any such humanitarian and relief operations in Australia, and New Zealand However, it is indirectly engaged in some of them. In case of Fiji, the High Commission is exploring limited humanitarian assistance for severely affected wage earners.
