In one of the largest ever evacuation exercises undertaken by India, and aptly named “Vande Bharat Mission“, the Indian Government has announced that nearly 14,800 Indians will be brought back home from 12 countries in 64 flights between May 7 to May 13. Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express will be operating these flights, and only those who test Covid-19 negative would be allowed to travel.
Though New Zealand is not on the list, India will send 10 flights to the UAE, seven flights each to the UK and the US, five flights to Saudi Arabia, five to Singapore, two to Qatar, seven flights each to Malaysia and Bangladesh, five flights each to Kuwait and Philippines, and two flights each to Oman and Bahrain to repatriate Indian nationals, informed Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
He also added, “The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will give travellers two days notice with the schedule (day, place and time of arrival) of the incoming flight on its website. On board, the health protocol announced by the MoCA will be applicable. Then on arrival, all passengers will undergo mandatory institutional quarantine for a minimum of 13 days, at their own cost. And the Aarogya Setu mobile app is mandatory for travellers.”
Moreover, the minister noted priority will be given to compelling cases in distress. Examples of these are migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with expiry of visas, persons with medical emergencies, pregnant women, elderly, students and persons needing to return due to death of a family member.
Importantly, passengers will be charged INR 50,000 each for flights from the UK, INR 12,000 for Dhaka-Delhi flight, INR 100,000 for flights from the US, and INR 13,000 for those coming from Dubai.
– TIN Bureau