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By APD writer Rishika Chauhan
**New Delhi, Jan. 29 (APD) ** - According to recent reports, on Tuesday the Indian government requested the Chinese government to clear a flight so that around 300 Indian citizens could be evacuated from Wuhan, which is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.
The formal request to China from the Indian External Affairs ministry asked them to facilitate, “evacuation of Indian nationals from Wuhan.”
After the Chinese approval, the civil aviation ministry will make arrangements to fly home to the Indian citizens.
Further, preparations are being made so that those brought back from China could be quarantined for 2 weeks.
A government note said, “On evacuation, these individuals will be kept in quarantine for 14 days. Necessary arrangements in this regard are being made.”
Reports also suggest that the national carrier, Air India is currently on standby. The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has assigned an Air India flight to Wuhan for evacuation.
So far hundreds of Indians have been put in medical isolation in many parts of India, including the capital New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai as well as in the province of Kerala, on suspicion of having the infection.
Meanwhile, the Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday that thermal screening of passengers who might have been exposed to the coronavirus infection would be extended to 20 airports from the existing seven.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
