KUWAIT: The Indian government has issued standard operating protocols (SOPs) stipulating guidelines for repatriation of citizens stranded outside the country as part of the government's evacuation plan commencing on May 7.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the government of India, stated that many Indian nationals who had travelled to different countries before the lockdown on various purposes such as employment, studies, tourism, business, etc, are stranded abroad. "Due to their prolonged stay abroad, they are facing distress and are desirous of returning to India urgently. Apart from the above cases, there are other Indian nationals who need to visit India in medical emergencies or death of a family member," the statement said. The SOPs have been issued with a view to facilitating the repatriation of such Indians in view of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world.
The persons who wish to be repatriated will have to register themselves with the Indian missions in the country where they are stranded along with necessary details as prescribed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). They will travel to India by non-scheduled commercial flights to be arranged by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) or naval ships to be arranged by department of Military Affairs (DMA). Only those crew and staff, who are tested COVID-19 negative, will be allowed to operate these flights or ships.
Priority
Regarding the priority for finalizing the list of evacuees, the statement said, priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/laborers who have been laid off, short-term visa holders faced with expiry of visas, persons with medical emergency/pregnant women, elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member and students.
However, the cost of travel must be borne by the travellers. Based on the registrations received, MEA will prepare flight/ship wise database of all such travellers, including details such as name, age, gender, mobile phone number, place of residence, place of final destination and information on RT-PCR test taken and its result. This data base will be shared by MEA with the respective state/union territories (UTs) in advance.
The travellers, before boarding, will have to give an undertaking that they would undergo mandatory institutional quarantine for a minimum of 14 days on arrival in India at their own cost. They also need to give an undertaking that they are making the journey at their own risk. At the time of boarding the flight/ship, the authorities will conduct thermal screening as per health protocol. Only asymptomatic travellers would be allowed to board the flight/ship.
Self-declaration
A self-declaration form with health and personal details in duplicate will be filled in advance by all passengers coming from any point of entry. While on board the flight/ship, the health protocol must be strictly followed. This would include wearing of masks, environmental hygiene, respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene etc to be observed by airline/ ship staff, crew and all passengers.
On arrival, thermal screening, as per health protocol, would be carried out in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the airport/seaport/land port. All passengers shall be asked to download ArogyaSetu app on their mobile devices. The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately taken to medical facility as per health protocol.
The remaining passengers will be taken to suitable institutional quarantine facilities, to be arranged by the respective state/UT governments. If they test negative after 14 days, they will be allowed to go home and will undertake self-monitoring of their health for 14 more days as per protocol.
The remaining persons will be shifted to the medical facility. While on board the flight, health protocol as issued by MoCA will be strictly followed. This would include wearing of masks, environmental hygiene, respiratory hygiene, hand hygiene etc. to be observed by airline staff, crew and all passengers, according to the statement, according to the statement.