The Indian Premier League organisers may be planning to go ahead with matches even as more positive cases of coronavirus are being reported from across the country, but the ministry of external affairs would not advise it. The decision, however, has been left to the organisers.
“It is for the organisers to decide,’’ said additional secretary, MEA, Damu Ravi said at the weekly briefing on Thursday. Ravi, who is the nodal officer to deal with COVID-19 in the ministry, added, “Our advise would not to go ahead.’’
However, later, the MEA chose to clarify its stance. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar asserted, “At the briefing today, some general observations were made on holding large sporting events in India. No specific recommendations have been sought of made by MEA.”
While the MEA may be reluctant to take a stand on the IPL, there was no uncertainty in what it thinks Indians in Europe should do. “It is better to stay put,’’ said Ravi. Only travel if there are compelling reasons, he added. So far, the fear of the virus has certainly prevented people from hopping on a plane. According to figures by the ministry of home affairs, the number of Indians arriving back has come down by 40 per cent. On February 20, the number was 63,200. On March 10, the number had come down to 43,900.
On being asked about the evacuation of Indians from Iran and Italy, Ravi made it clear that India was not trying to bring everyone back. “We need to understand we are taking people who have tested negative. People who are not contaminated will be brought in first.’’ Medical team from Qom has moved to Tehran and is conducting tests on Indians. These samples are being brought back to India for tests. A medical team will arrive in Italy on Friday and are expected to set up centres in Rome and Milan. Indians who have tested negative will be issued a certificate and asked to board commercial carriers to come back.
Indians who have tested positive will be treated in host countries. “It is noted that it was to the benefit of the host country that they are treated well,’’ said Ravi. Indians are treating Italian tourists, “very well’’ and they were recovering, he added.
Going beyond just helping out their own citizens, India is also lending a helping hand. So far, requests for medical supplies have come from Iran, Maldives and Iran.
In an emergency measure on Wednesday India virtually closed its borders to foreign travel. All visas, with an exception of work, UN employees, diplomatic and project visas, were suspended till April 15. Visa free travel for OCI card holders has been suspended from March 13. If there is a compelling reason to travel, a visa must be obtained from the mission. All travellers, including Indians coming from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, France, Spain and Germany shall be quarantined from March 13, for 14 days. However, all foreign travellers will not be sent to quarantine facilities, unless they display symptoms.
