COVID-19: High Commissioner of India in Ottawa plans return of stranded Indians
Toronto/IBNS: The phased return of nearly three lakh Indians, mainly students stranded in Canada due to COVID-19 pandemic, is being planned by the office of the High Commissioner of India in Ottawa (Canada), media reports said.
Passengers would be medically screened before embarkation and only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel. They would also be required to follow the protocols issued by government agencies during the journey.
On reaching the destination, all arrivals must register on the Arogya Setu app and be medically screened.
After scrutiny, they would be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment basis, by the State government concerned. COVID test would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols.
As a contingency planning exercise, the High Commission of India in Canada, the Consulate General of India in Toronto, and Vancouver are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens in Canada.
All Indian nationals in Canada with compelling reasons to travel to India are requested to register by filling the information sheet on https://bit.ly/2Wtmv3A.
They will also be required to sign an agreement to abide by the health protocols in India.
Indians returning from Canada will not require a COVID-19 negative certification as is not issued by Canada.
Nevertheless, these passengers will be subject to the conditions and rules notified by the government.
They will also be required to pay for the mandatory 14-day quarantine period in a hospital or institutional facility selected by the relevant state government. The passengers will undergo a COVID-19 test after a fortnight.
People planning to travel from Canada to India are requested to start registrations at this time to help officials in planning out the schedule of flights between selected destinations in India more efficiently, Indian officials said.
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
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