COVID-19: Repatriation of Indians in UAE will start with flights to Kerala

India will start repatriating its citizens from the UAE from May 7, with the first two flights operating to the state of Kerala.

One will operate from Abu Dhabi to Kochi and the other from Dubai to Kozhikode.

The passenger lists for both these flights will be finalised by the Indian Embassy and the Consulate General on the basis of the online database they launched a few days back.

Priority will be given to workers in distress, elderly people, urgent medical cases, pregnant women as well as to those who are stranded in difficult situations. 

The applicants will be contacted directly by the diplomatic missions through email/telephone.

The cost of the tickets and other conditions for travel, including quarantine requirements after reaching India, and health requirements to board the flight will be conveyed in due course and will have to be accepted by each passenger.

The details of additional flights to other destinations in India will be announced in the coming days.

"Given that the Embassy/Consulate have received almost 200,000 registrations for travelling back, it will take time for all people to be accommodated on these flights," said a press release issued by the Consulate.

"We seek patience and cooperation from everyone as the Government of India undertakes this massive task of repatriation of Indian nationals," it added.

For any queries, these are the contact details:

• Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra: 80046342 (Toll Free)
• Embassy: Covid-19 helpline: +971-508995583 Email: help.abudhabi@mea.gov.in
• Consulate: Covid-19 helplines: +971-565463903, +971-543090575 Email: cons2.dubai@mea.gov.in

Press Release on special flights from UAE to India. pic.twitter.com/T45XbnmSMK

— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) May 4, 2020