14-day quarantine mandatory for Indians evacuated from China: Indian Embassy

Over 250 Indians, mostly students, stuck in Hubei province, epicentre of dely coronavirus, will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine on ir arrival in India, Indian Embassy said on Tuesday as it started preparations to evacuate m.

Indian nationals, mostly students, research scholars and professionals are working in Indian and international companies in central China's Hubei province for which Wuhan is capital. China has reported 24 more deaths from coronavirus epidemic, taking number of fatalities to 106 as confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by outbreak stand at 4,515, health authorities anunced on Tuesday.

In a fresh communication to stranded Indians, Indian Embassy said, “Government of India has begun process to prepare for evacuation of Indian nationals affected by situation arising out of Corona-2019 virus outbreak in Hubei Province, China.” “Embassy of India, Beijing is in touch with Chinese government authorities to work out date and logistics of evacuation,” it said.

“Please be informed that those availing of this option will have to undergo a mandatory 14 days’ quarantine on arrival in India,” it said.

Many of stranded Indians have been representing to Indian government to evacuate m at earliest. Indian Embassy has opened three hotlines to help m and collect details of Indian nationals. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said government is planning to send a plane to Wuhan in China to evacuate Indians stuck re due to outbreak of coronavirus.

“Furr details regarding date and logistics of evacuation will be communicated in due course. You are requested to be patient and wait for furr updates and instructions,” communication said.

Thousands foreign nationals from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Banglesh besides large number of nationals from African countries were reportedly held up in province. Chinese officials on Monday held talks with diplomats of India and or countries to discuss evacuation arrangements. China has alrey permitted to evacuate US and various or countries which h Consulates in Wuhan.

Barring Tibet, all Chinese provinces have reported virus cases, posing a major challenge for health authorities to contain it. Overseas confirmed cases have been reported in Thailand (7), Japan (3), South Korea (3), United States (3), Vietnam (2), Singapore (4), Malaysia (3), Nepal (1), France (3), Australia (4) and Sri Lanka (1).