41 foreigners among 236 rescued from Japan, China

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 27

In another round of evacuations today, India flew back 124 people from Japan and another 112 from China’s Wuhan and quarantined the returnees at the existing Army and ITBP facilities here. In all, 236 persons were evacuated out of which 195 are Indians and others foreigners.

While an Air India flight brought back 124 persons, including 119 Indians, from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, another plane landed in Delhi with 112 persons from Wuhan, including 76 Indians.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today said, “124 persons have been evacuated from Japan including 119 Indian citizens and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru by an Air India flight. They were quarantined onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship at Yokohama due to novel coronavirus infection. In addition, 112 persons have been evacuated from Wuhan, China, the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak.

They include 36 nationals from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Maldives, China, South Africa, USA and Madagascar.”

While the evacuees from Japan have been quarantined at the Army camp at Manesar, those from Wuhan will be housed at the ITBP facility at Chhawla.

“Of the 138 Indian nationals on board Diamond Princess, 122 tested negative. We have brought back 119 as three persons opted not to return. Sixteen Indians, who tested positive for COVID 19, are in hospitals in Japan,” Vardhan said.

In solidarity with China, India also sent 15 tonnes medical relief for COVID-19 to Wuhan via the IAF plane.

In view of the global spread of COVID-19 (WHO today said new infections outside China today surpassed those inside China), Indians have been advised to avoid non-essential travel to Singapore, Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy.

“People coming from Republic of Korea, Iran and Italy or having such travel history since February 10, may be quarantined for 14 days on arrival to India,” Vardhan said.

So far, 4,82,927 passengers have been screened in India from 4,787 flights and screening is on at 21 airports, 12 major seaports and 65 minor seaports and land crossings particularly bordering Nepal.

“A total of 23,531passengers are under community surveillance. Of the 2,836 samples sent for testing, 2,830 are negative. Three samples were earlier found positive in Kerala but all have recovered and have been discharged and three are under testing,” Vardhan said.