Highlights
- Australian couple stranded in India fear for their health and safety
- DFAT claims their emergency call unit has received hundreds of Australians stranded in India
- India launches web portal to reach out to foreigners trapped in the lockdown
Stranded in a village in northern India, Amarjit and Manjit Uppal’s desperation to return home is growing by the day.
Sydney-based Mrs Uppal fears the Indian government may extend the current lockdown beyond April 14 and they may be trapped there “indefinitely.”
“We are concerned for medications, food water and exposure to the virus,” said Mrs Uppal, who has run out of her thyroid medicines.
But it is her husband that she is most worried about. The 65-year-old is not only diabetic but also has neuroendocrine cancer, for which he was expecting treatment in Australia, this week.
“All alternative flight options were either quickly getting filled-up or they were getting cancelled and it was impossible to actually get them out,” said Mr Uppal.
The Uppals are not alone. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) claims it's emergency call unit has received hundreds of calls from Australians in India.
Their son, Aneale Uppal, a Sydney-based GP told SBS News that his parents were due to return home last week, but their flights were cancelled last minute.
India issued its official first day of a nationwide lockdown on March 25, with police enforcing the strict measures on its 1.3 billion people.
The move aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 instead sparked a mass exodus of migrant labourers, who earn their wages by working at mills and factories, miles away from home and live a hand-to-mouth existence.
With no way to earn money and feed their families for at least three weeks, millions decided to walk back to their villages in order to survive.
While leaving others fearing for their safety, with many suspecting foreigners and overseas return are carrying the virus.
“The situation is escalating in terms of hostility towards foreigners,” said Mr Uppal.
Am Australian doctor, Kimberley Maclean who is stuck in Mumbai said the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous.
“I am very aware of the limited resources that DFAT has. They need to look at each country on a case by case basis. But I think there are some disturbing situation occurring for foreigners in India,” said Dr Maclean.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is containing to do what it can to assist Australians in India within the constraints of the restrictions in place.
Germany, Russia and Israel are among the nations who have already conducted repatriation flights from India, leaving many Australians in the country questioning why they have not yet received similar assistance.
India’s Tourism Ministry has launched a web portal ‘Stranded in India’ to reach out to foreigners stuck in the lockdown.
The portal has been created to provide those stranded with relevant information regarding services and helplines available to them in the country.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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