India to repatriate Indians stranded abroad from May 7 in phased manner

Government of India will be starting the repatriation of Indians stranded abroad  on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships.

Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens. This facility would be made available on payment-basis. Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel. The travel would begin in a phased manner from May 7, statement from the Home Ministry informed.

The ministry also stated that medical screening of passengers would be done before taking the flight. Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel. During the journey, all these passengers would have to follow the protocols, such as the Health Protocols, issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Protocols to be followed on reaching India
On reaching the destination, everyone would have to register on the Arogya Setu app. Everyone would be medically screened. After scrutiny, they would be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment-basis, by the concerned State government. COVID test would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols.

State governments have been advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective states.