Lockdown 2.0: Stranded coronavirus-positive Indians won't be evacuated

Flights to bring back Gulf migrants will take off even if lockdown is extended at a time when requests from Indians across the globe is piling up

As India readies to soon evacuate thousands of distressed citizens stranded in the Gulf region, irrespective of the current lockdown being extended, the government has decided to not bring back those who have been already been diagnosed as coronavirus positive, due to health concerns and preexisting diplomatic arrangements.

Reports suggest more than 6300 Indians have been struck by the deadly virus abroad and the rate of spread among Indian communities have picked up quickly in the Gulf region where economically weak migrants often share cramped quarters. But while diplomatic arrangements have been made to quarantine and treat those who have already been struck by the virus, the government has prioritized the return of others who are the most ‘distressed’, senior officials confirmed.

As a result, the special airlift operation would go ahead regardless of whether the current lockdown is extended beyond May 3, senior officials confirmed.
 

The rapidly worsening economic state of Indian laborers in the Gulf's vast construction industry - many of whom have lost their jobs recently - has necessitated preparations for their early return, they added.

“A decision is still awaited on whether the current ban on international flights will be extended. But these will be chartered flights with a special purpose. Their operations would be independent of commercial airlines,” a senior MEA official said.

Scheduled international commercial passenger services were restricted exactly a month ago.

Tough criteria

However, the government is yet to decide on the exact number of citizens who need to be brought back. Currently, the exact details of the mega operation are being drawn up the External Affairs Ministry with support from India’s diplomatic missions in each of the six-nations that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council. This includes United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.

To prune the list of millions who want to return home soon, the government is in the process of adopting strict criteria to distinguish those are the most ‘distressed’.

While the parameters are being fine tuned, Indians who have faced sudden loss of employment, end of contractual employment, expiry of visa or have been declared as illegals, have the best chances of making the list as of now. India's embassies are in touch with the local diaspora and tentative lists are being prepared based on this method, sources confirmed.

A majority of the flights will be heading to Kerala which contributes the biggest number of Indian expats in the region but some may also be needed to land in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, as an increasing number of migrants head west in search of jobs. “Every passenger will be compulsorily be screened once they land in India. Certain high risk ones will also be screened before boarding the planes,” the official said.

Focus on Gulf

While the government is planning its latest efforts with the Gulf in mind, requests from of stranded Indians across the globe are piling up. Sources again confirmed that Indians in other geographies remain lower on the priority chain and no clear decision has been taken with regards to them.

This includes the thousands of expatriate Indian H-1B visa holders in the United States, who have recently lost their jobs. However, with the US earlier this month announcing an extension of all employment visas, they have averted the risk of being forcefully deported.

“Indians currently abroad on employment visas like H-1B work in multinational firms, draw significant wages, and in many cases have retrenchment benefits. Other citizens need more attention now,” another official said.
 

There have been reports of thousands of Indians under similar visa regimes being stuck in Japan, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and South Africa.