20 Chinese workers in Payra Power Plant quarantined

20 Chinese workers of the Payra Power Plant in Patuakhali, who recently returned from China, have been quarantined to avoid possible spread of coronavirus.

State-owned North-West Power Generation Company Ltd, in collaboration with the Chinese government organisation CMC, formed a new company named Bangladesh-China Power Company Ltd for the construction of the Payra Power Plant. Around 1200 Chinese people work there.

BCPCL Manager (facility) Shahid Ullah Bhuyian said, "No symptom of coronavirus has been found among the Chinese workers. Thirty five workers returned from China in the last one month, and 15 of them had been quarantined for 14 days. But they have returned to work because they did not display any symptoms of the virus. Now, another 20 workers have been quarantined for 14 days."

The 20 Chinese workers who have now been quarantined returned from China in the last 10 days. Kalapara Upazila Health Officer Dr Chinmoy Halder said the health directorate has taken this safety measure in the wake of a life-threatening new coronavirus outbreak in various countries.

These 20 returning Chinese workers have gone through several health checks, and they have not displayed any symptoms of coronavirus so far. Even though they do not have a fever, cough and cold, they have been quarantined for 14 days in the power plant area as a safety measure. If there is no sign of coronavirus, they can start working again after 14 days, he added.

Basudev Kumar Das, deputy director of the Barishal divisional office of the health directorate, said, "Various awareness programmes have been taken here, including daily meetings, as safety measures. A meeting was held with the Chinese workers and employees last Monday."