Mumbai: BMC arranges over 3,000 rooms in 88 hotels to quarantine evacuees

As India's biggest repatriation exercise 'Vande Bharat' Mission kick-started on Thursday,  Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has arranged around 3,343 rooms in 88 hotels to quarantine evacuees. According to a statement by BMC, 88 hotels include all categories- 2-star, 3-star, 4-star, 5-star, apart from apartment hotels and OYOs.

Reportedly, out of total 64 evacuation flights under Mission, seven flights will be landing in Mumbai carrying around 1,900 passengers.  statement furr added that passengers will come from Bangladesh, Philippines, Singapore, Britain, Malaysia, and United States.

'Vande Bharat' Mission

In a major relief for Indians stranded abroad, Centre on Monday anunced that ir travel will be arranged via aircraft and naval ships in a phased manner. Ministry of Home Affairs also issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for movement of returnees. mission will go on for 7 days and will rescue stranded Indians from over 11 countries in 64 Air India flights carrying over 14,800 people.  flights will take off for 12 countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Maldives, Singapore and US. 

Read: Delhi: Hundreds of hotels booked for evacuees as India embarks on COVID-19 repatriation

SOP for returning to India

According to SOP, those wishing to return to India must register mselves with Indian Missions in country where y are stranded, along with necessary details as prescribed by Ministry of External Affairs. y will have to travel to India by n-scheduled commercial flights that'll be arranged by Civil Aviation Ministry (MoCA) and naval ships to be arranged by Department of Military Affairs (DMA). Only those crew/staff, who have tested negative for COVID-19, will be allowed to operate flight/ship.

Read: MEA commences preparations to rescue Indians stranded abroad under 'Vande Bharat' mission

As per MHA, priority will be given to compelling cases in distress including migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with expiry of visa, persons with medical emergencies/ pregnant women/ elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member and students. cost of travel, as specified by MoCA and DMA will be borne by such travellers.

Read: BJP slams Kerala CM's criticism of Vande Bharat Mission; assures pre-boarding COVID tests

Read: Delhi government issues guidelines for handling of passengers under Vande Bharat Mission

(With ANI Inputs)