Three Ships Sent To Evacuate Indians Stranded In Maldives And UAE

India sent three naval ships to evacuate citizens stranded in the Maldives and UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Image used for representational purposes/ Getty Images

New Delhi: As the third phase of lockdown begins, India has prepared to bring Indians stranded abroad. According to a report by PTI, India has sent three naval ships to evacuate its citizens stranded in the Maldives and UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centre had announced that it will facilitate the return of Indians stuck abroad in a phased manner from May 7 on a payment basis. A report by IANS said that ‘Centre has announced to facilitate their return on compelling grounds  and that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs made the announcement, informing that the travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships and a standard operating procedure (SOP) has been prepared in this regard.’ Today, two naval ships were deployed for the Maldives while one was directed to Dubai. “INS Jalashwa deployed off Mumbai coast, along with INS Magar, diverted for the Maldives on Monday night. While INS Shardul diverted to Dubai to evacuate the expatriates, the spokesperson added. The three ships will return to Kochi,” a defence spokesperson said in the early hours on Tuesday. INS Magar and INS Shardul are Southern Naval Command ships, while INS Jalashwa is from Eastern Naval Command According to a statement by the Home Ministry, ‘Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens and the facility would be made available on payment basis.’ The statement also specified, "Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel and the travel would begin in a phased manner from May 7. Medical screening of the passengers would be done before they board the flight and only the asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel.” During the journey, all these passengers would have to follow the protocols, such as the health guidelines issued by the Health Ministry and the Civil Aviation Ministry. Also Watch: