Covid-19: What do Indians stranded in NZ need to do before evacuation back home?
Indians stranded in New Zealand anxiously waiting to be evacuated back home will need to adhere to strict guidelines and restrictions imposed by the government of India before being accepted on the return flight.
This was revealed by the High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Muktesh Pardeshi in a telephone interview earlier today.
“The government of India is planning repatriation of stranded Indians from various parts of the world in a phased manner,” Mr Pardeshi said.
“The Government has asked Air India [India’s national carrier] to facilitate the return of stranded Indians in a phased manner through non-scheduled commercial flights from May 7,” Mr Pardeshi said.
Ever since the government of India announced on Monday, May 4, the decision to begin the repatriation process for hundreds of thousands of Indians stranded globally, there has been cautious-optimism within 1200 Indians stranded in New Zealand.
The Indian Weekender has already reported on the developments positing that the immediate focus of New Delhi might be on other regions of the world with larger numbers and more compelling reasons for immediate evacuation, rather than on this part of the world purely because of NZ’s incredible success in controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus.
When asked to comment further on this assessment Mr Pardeshi said, “We are constantly in touch with New Delhi and the Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation are working on a detailed plan of further action which we will update soon.”
The Ministry of External Affairs will anyhow give a clear two-day prior notice about the incoming flight (or naval ship, wherever relevant) for stranded passengers to arrange for their tickets.
No entry without compulsory medical screening
However, emphasising on the need to focus on making right preparations needed to be able to get a confirmation in the Air India flight as and when it happens Mr Pardeshi said, “We need to understand the details of the entire process that includes coordination of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and different state governments, which has been designated to carry out the necessary quarantine process.”
“It is a strict requirement imposed by the Ministry of Health for medical screening from the country of origin for a passenger to be allowed to travel back to India,” Mr Pardeshi said.
How to get testing done in NZ
New Zealand has placed a system where anyone who thinks has the symptoms of Covid-19 infections can easily avail advice and the facility on a national health line for free on 0800 358 5453.
However, those who do not show definite symptoms are encouraged to first contact their local GPs or iwi health provider who can determine if testing is required, and there may be a cost to it.
There is more than one way to test for COVID-19, for example, a nose swab or a sputum test. Whatever form a test takes, it involves collecting a sample from you that is then sent to a lab to be analysed. The results may take some time, often up to 48 hours, therefore those planning to catch the government-operated non-scheduled commercial flight should time it well so as not to miss the report.
The report can often be delivered on mobile as a text, and would, therefore, be helpful for everyone to ensure they have a test report delivered on their mobile before they eventually board on the plane.
However, there is not yet enough information on how old the medical test will be valid before entering into Indian ports.
Therefore, it may be in everyone’s best interest to not immediately rush for getting their testing done.
The offices of the High Commission of India (Wellington) and Consulate of India (Auckland) are currently working in preparing the next step of actions to ensure Indians stranded in NZ are able to meet all mandatory guidelines required to enter India.
The Indian Weekender will be updating further information along with more details of the return flight as soon as more clarity emerges.
Indians stranded in New Zealand anxiously waiting to be evacuated back home will need to adhere to strict guidelines and restrictions imposed by the government of India before being accepted on the return flight.
This was revealed by the High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Muktesh Pardeshi...
Indians stranded in New Zealand anxiously waiting to be evacuated back home will need to adhere to strict guidelines and restrictions imposed by the government of India before being accepted on the return flight.
This was revealed by the High Commissioner of India in New Zealand Muktesh Pardeshi in a telephone interview earlier today.
“The government of India is planning repatriation of stranded Indians from various parts of the world in a phased manner,” Mr Pardeshi said.
“The Government has asked Air India [India’s national carrier] to facilitate the return of stranded Indians in a phased manner through non-scheduled commercial flights from May 7,” Mr Pardeshi said.
Ever since the government of India announced on Monday, May 4, the decision to begin the repatriation process for hundreds of thousands of Indians stranded globally, there has been cautious-optimism within 1200 Indians stranded in New Zealand.
The Indian Weekender has already reported on the developments positing that the immediate focus of New Delhi might be on other regions of the world with larger numbers and more compelling reasons for immediate evacuation, rather than on this part of the world purely because of NZ’s incredible success in controlling the spread of the novel coronavirus.
When asked to comment further on this assessment Mr Pardeshi said, “We are constantly in touch with New Delhi and the Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation are working on a detailed plan of further action which we will update soon.”
The Ministry of External Affairs will anyhow give a clear two-day prior notice about the incoming flight (or naval ship, wherever relevant) for stranded passengers to arrange for their tickets.
No entry without compulsory medical screening
However, emphasising on the need to focus on making right preparations needed to be able to get a confirmation in the Air India flight as and when it happens Mr Pardeshi said, “We need to understand the details of the entire process that includes coordination of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health and different state governments, which has been designated to carry out the necessary quarantine process.”
“It is a strict requirement imposed by the Ministry of Health for medical screening from the country of origin for a passenger to be allowed to travel back to India,” Mr Pardeshi said.
How to get testing done in NZ
New Zealand has placed a system where anyone who thinks has the symptoms of Covid-19 infections can easily avail advice and the facility on a national health line for free on 0800 358 5453.
However, those who do not show definite symptoms are encouraged to first contact their local GPs or iwi health provider who can determine if testing is required, and there may be a cost to it.
There is more than one way to test for COVID-19, for example, a nose swab or a sputum test. Whatever form a test takes, it involves collecting a sample from you that is then sent to a lab to be analysed. The results may take some time, often up to 48 hours, therefore those planning to catch the government-operated non-scheduled commercial flight should time it well so as not to miss the report.
The report can often be delivered on mobile as a text, and would, therefore, be helpful for everyone to ensure they have a test report delivered on their mobile before they eventually board on the plane.
However, there is not yet enough information on how old the medical test will be valid before entering into Indian ports.
Therefore, it may be in everyone’s best interest to not immediately rush for getting their testing done.
The offices of the High Commission of India (Wellington) and Consulate of India (Auckland) are currently working in preparing the next step of actions to ensure Indians stranded in NZ are able to meet all mandatory guidelines required to enter India.
The Indian Weekender will be updating further information along with more details of the return flight as soon as more clarity emerges.
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