India Protecting Health Of Expats By Not Evacuating Them
India is trying to safeguard its overseas citizens and their families health by not evacuating them during the lockdown, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor stated.
“At this stage, we feel that it is best for them (Indians wishing to return home) to stay where they are [since] there is a complete lockdown in India. “It is totally wrong to say that we are abandoning our citizens.
Once the lockdown in India is lifted, we will certainly help them get back to their home towns and their families,” he said.
India has extend their nationwide lockdown until the end of April and at such a time Indian government cannot take the risk of evacuating a large number of people from foreign countries while it is concentrating on breaking the chain of infection inside the country.
“The fact is that we have got a huge number of citizens back home and right now the government is focusing on them to make sure that we are not causing further harm or danger to people who are there or people who are abroad. That is why we are following the advice of asking everybody to stay put where they are.”
The number of COVID-19 cases in India have increased to 7,447 on Saturday with 1,035 cases reported within last 24 hours, with 239 total deaths reported so far across the country
“At the end of the day, even if a test comes out negative, the person can get tested positive after reaching there. By not allowing to go right now, we are trying to protect you and your families,” he explained.
“We are all in it together and we need to support the land we call our second home also,” he said, pointing out that the Indian missions have offered all possible support to the UAE authorities.
