India will start repatriation of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships, the Indian Home Ministry stated. 

India will be facilitating the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships.  

The Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) has been prepared in this regard, the Ministry of Home Affairs in India has stated.  

Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens for whom this facility would be made available on a payment-basis. Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel in a phased manner from May 7 onwards. 

Medical screening of passengers would be done before taking the flight and only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel. During the journey, all these passengers would have to follow the protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. 

On reaching the destination, all passengers would have to register on the Arogya Setu app and be medically screened. After scrutiny, they would be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine, offered on a payment-basis by the concerned state government.  

COVID-19 tests would be carried out for these passengers after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols.  

The Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation would soon share detailed information about this arrangement through their respective websites. 

Meanwhile, state governments in India are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective states, the IndianHome Ministry stated.