The COVID-19 Pandemic : Challenges and Reality of Quarantine, Isolation and Social Distancing for the Returnee Migrants in Bangladesh

The fundamental objective of this study is to examine how much quarantine, isolation and social distance have been applied and complied with in the case of Bangladeshi returnees to prevent infection and spread during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted during the period of 1st February to 31st March, 2020 of total 3,281 respondents were participated from eight administrative division of Bangladesh. The study found that the three of the compliance with health regulations, including 14 days of quarantine, isolation and maintaining social distance, are severely hampered. Indifference has been seen among the returnees in the same way that the government has failed to comply with the above three measures from the very beginning. Therefore, this study realizes with deep sadness that in the coming days, there is a good chance that the COVID-19 epidemic in Bangladesh will reach a large scale. This huge influx of returnee could spread the epidemic in Bangladesh at once. The arrival checkpoints in Bangladesh, from where they came to their homes and the type of transport they have come in contact with, are expected to gradually spread everywhere. Thus, the study suggests that the current level of health and medical care in Bangladesh, as well as the densely populated country could lead to a catastrophic epidemic that could be more severe than any other country