India Launches Biggest COVID-19 Rescue Mission

India is launching is massive rescue mission through air and sea route for the people stranded abroad due to coronavirus pandemic. There are more than 3 lakh people stuck in different places in Europe and US. But this time, the rescued people will be charged for the service. Rescue from Europe will cost Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 1 lakh from the US. Naval warships will rescue people from West Asia and Maldives.

Highlights of the story

• Indian citizens excluding OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) will be rescued in this operation. National carrier will fly 14,800 Indians in 13 countries back home in 64 flights.

• The evacuation will start on May 7 with 10 flights bringing back 2,300 Indians.

• In the coming days, the government will send 10 flights to UAE; 7 each to US and UK; 5 each to Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Kuwait and Philippines; 2 each to Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. Also, there will be flights for Malaysia and Bangladesh.

• The flights will carry between 200 to 300 passengers to maintain social distancing. Also, the passengers will be asked to declare their medical condition like fever, cough, diabetes and any respiratory disease.

• People with valid visas could also take advantage of the rescue flights depending on the permission granted by their destination countries.

• All passengers will be screened before boarding and only asymptomatic people will be rescued. At home, they will be quarantined for 14 days.

• Naval ships – INS Shardul, INS Magar and INS Jalashwa – and 30 aircraft of Indian Air Force including Boeing Co.’s C-17 Globemaster and Lockheed Martin Corp.’s C-130J Super Hercules will … Read the rest