SOPs for stranded Indians: People out of job, short term visa holders, students to be prioritized – Times of India, The Times of India

NEW DELHI: The government will prioritize certain cases over others while bringing stranded Indians back home given the nature of their emergency. People who have been laid off, those who hold short term visa, those who need to return due to a medical emergency or due to death of a family member and students will be prioritized.
The Ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Tuesday issued Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) for movement of Indian nationals stranded outside the country, as well as, for people who are stranded in India and want to travel abroad due to some urgent requirement.
SOPs issued by the government for people wanting to return to India:
Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers, labors who have been laid off and those faced with expiry of short term visas .
People with medical emergency, pregnant women, elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students will also be given preference, the home ministry said.
All those wanting to return home will be required to register with Indian missions in their country providing necessary details.
Based on the registrations received, the MEA will prepare flight or ship wise database of all such travellers, including details such as name, age, gender, mobile phone number, place of residence, place of final destination; and information on RT-PCR test taken and its result.
The MEA will designate State / UT wise nodal officers who will co-ordinate with nodal officers from states.
The schedule (day, place & time of arrival) of the incoming flight / ship will be displayed with at least two days notice on MEA’s website.
The cost of travel will be borne by the travelers.
Passengers will have to fill out self-declaration forms providing their health and personal details.
The travelers will also have to take an undertaking that they are making the journey at their own risk.
At the time of boarding the flight / ship, passengers will undergo thermal screening and only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board.
While onboard, travelers will have to follow strict protocol and wear masks and mind their respiratory and hand hygiene.
Upon arrival in India –
Upon arrival, passengers will be thermally screened, again.
Passengers found symptomatic during screening will be immediately shifted to a medical facility.
People returning will also have to download the Aarogya Setu app upon arrival.
All travelers will have to quarantine for at least days upon arrival in India, at their own cost.
If they test negative after 64 days they will be allowed to go home and will undertake self-monitoring at home for more days. The remaining people will be shifted to medical facility by States / UTs.
The Ministry of external affairs (MEA) had announced earlier in the day that the government will carry out evacuation of over , Indian nationals stranded in 14 foreign countries by 64 flights and three Navy warships in week 1 of the operation.