New Delhi – The Union government will facilitate the return of Indians stranded abroad, the process for which will begin from May 7 in a phased manner.
In a statement, the Home Ministry said only asymptomatic people would be allowed to travel and it would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships, adding that the facility would be available on a payment basis.
After their arrival in India, a medical examination would be conducted on everyone and they would, subsequently, be put under quarantine for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional facility, the Ministry said.
“The Government of India will be facilitating the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The travel would begin from May 7,” it said.
The government has prepared the standard operating protocol (SOP), and the Indian embassies and high commissions were preparing a list of distressed citizens, according to the Ministry.
“This facility will be made available on payment basis. Non-scheduled commercial flights will be arranged for air travel,” the Ministry added.
“Medical screening of passengers will be done before boarding the flight, and only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel. During the journey, they will have to follow the protocols, such as the health protocols issued by the Health Ministry and the Civil Aviation Ministry,” it said.
“On reaching the destination, everyone will have to register on the Arogya Setu app,” the Home Ministry added.
“Everyone will be medically screened. After scrutiny, they will be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment basis, by the concerned state government,” it said.
COVID-19 tests would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols, the statement said.
The Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation would soon share detailed information about it through their websites, it said.
“The state governments are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective states,” the Ministry said.
India banned the arrival of international flights beginning March 23. The 21-day lockdown was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 in a bid to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. It was first extended till May 3 and then again till May 17.
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