Kerala HC seeks Centre's response for citizens stranded in UAE amid COVID-19 outbreak

Kerala High Court on Saturday sought response of Central government on a plea seeking directions for evacuation of Indian citizens stranded in United Arab Emirates (UAE) amid coronavirus lockdown. A division bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Shaji P Chaly asked Centre to inform it about any policy decision taken with respect to allowing return of Indians from abroad in light of pandemic and slated matter for furr hearing on April 17.

court was referring to an advisory by Government of India which mentioned that it is advisable for Indians in foreign countries to stay re at moment, and wait for better times to return and said that " state needs to be on guard, and be cautious about letting persons from abroad coming at this juncture."

bench n asked Central Government to apprise it about welfare measures taken by Indian Embassy at UAE for well-being of citizens re. "Let's t question wisdom of Centre at this st. We will seek a status report from m," it observed.

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petition, filed by Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre in Dubai and a UAE based travel service provider, sought directions to Union Ministry of External Affairs and Civil Aviation for permission to evacuate Indian citizens stranded in UAE.

plea said that plea is of utmost urgency as many citizens stranded in UAE are on tourist visas or on transit visas and have already gone beyond ir permitted period of stay. It added that it is averred that re are or categories of citizens who because of ir entitlement of leave from work, as also certain or categories require immediate medical attention and are also stranded in UAE.

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Meanwhile, as per health ministry, India has conducted 1,44,910 tests on 130,792 suspected COVID-19 patients in 146 government and 67 private laboratories. country till Saturday reported 1035 new cases in last 24 hours, sharpest ever increase in cases and 40 deaths, bringing number of confirmed cases to 7,447. Over 642 patients have recovered and been discharged. 

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(Picture credit: ANI)