Highlights
- Vande Bharat Mission to go as per schedule from Australia
- No changes as of now said Consul General
- Australia, on Friday, capped overseas arrivals and limited international flights
Australia’s decision to cap overseas arrivals and limit international flights will not impact Vande Bharat Mission flights from Australia.
‘Flights scheduled from Australia this week, to take back Indians stuck here, will go as per schedule,” Consul General of India in Melbourne, Mr Raj Kumar confirmed to SBS Hindi.
“The latest cap on overseas arrivals has affected the inbound passengers. As of now, there are no changes to plan for the outbound passengers,” Consul General said.
Six flights are scheduled from Melbourne and Sydney from July 17-20.
Four flights will take off from Melbourne for Mumbai, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Chennai while two flights will take off from Sydney for Chennai and Hyderabad via New Delhi.
Vande Bharat Mission to go as per schedule from Australia Source: Supplied
Private charter flights to India offer hope to those stuck in Australia
A handful of private organisers have arranged special charter flights for Indians stuck in Australia.
“Though we are not in charge of these flights, these options are available [to Indian citizens stuck] here,” Mr Kumar said.
“On our end, we provide these flights with ‘no objection certificate’, following which they need other permissions from India – as in DGCA and the state they want to fly in. Once they have these clearances in place, they can operate a flight,” Mr Kumar said.
Indian citizens Kapoor Singh Negi and his wife Sarla Negi are desperate to return to India. Source: Supplied
She has now booked tickets on one of the charter flights for her parents-in-law.
“They have multiple health issues, their medicines have run out, they have a business to attend and run in India. There are multiple factors why they are desperate to return.
“I have finally got tickets for my in-laws after three attempts. They are going to Delhi on July 15th and are happy to finally go back,” she told SBS Hindi.
Ms Negi paid almost $3900 for two tickets.
India's ban on flight operations extended till the end of July
India's latest travel advisory states ban on international flights operations has been extended to 2359 hours IST of July 31, 2020.
However, selected international flights are now being allowed on case to case basis.
Residents in metropolitan Melbourne are subject to stay-at-home orders and can only leave home for essential work, study, exercise or care responsibilities. People are also advised to wear masks in public.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
