Govt To Arrange For Return Of Indian Nationals, Stranded Abroad, From May 7

New Delhi: The process of bringing back Indian nationals, who have been stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, will begin on May 7.

The government of India (GoI) will carry out the process in a phased manner and arrange for their travel by aircraft and naval ships.

A Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) has already been prepared for this process and as a first step, care preparing a list of Indian citizens who want to return home.

Following are some of the SOP specifications:

* The facility will be made availåble on payment-basis

* Non-scheduled commercial flights will be arranged for air travel

* Travel will begin in a phased manner from May 7

* Medical screening of passengers will be done before they board a flight. Only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed to travel

* During the journey, all passengers will have to follow protocols, such as the health protocols issued by Ministry of Health and Ministry of Civil Aviation

* On reaching the destination, everyone will have to register on the Arogya Setu app

* Everyone will be medically screened. After scrutiny, they will be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine centre on payment basis, by the concerned state government

* Covid test will be done after 14 days and further action will be taken according to health protocols.

The Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation will soon be sharking detailed information through their websites.

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