New Delhi: Indian Navy on Wednesday launched Operation 'Samudra Setu' as a part of national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas in the wake of coronavirus outbreak.
Indian Naval Ships Jalashwa and Magar are presently en route to the port of Malè, Republic of Maldives to commence evacuation operations from May 8.
"The Government has been closely monitoring the situation with respect to the evacuation process and the Indian Navy has been directed to make suitable preparations for their evacuation by sea," an official said.
The Indian Mission in the Republic of Maldives is preparing a list of Indian nationals to be evacuated by Naval ships and will facilitate their embarkation after the requisite medical screening. A total of 1000 persons are planned to be evacuated during the first trip, social distancing norms and other precautions will be kept in focus.
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The ships have been suitably provisioned for the evacuation operation. The evacuated personnel would be provided with the basic amenities and medical facilities during the sea-passage. In view of the unique challenges associated with COVID-19 stringent protocols have also been stipulated.
The evacuated personnel will be disembarked at Kochi, Kerala and entrusted to the care of State authorities. This operation is being progressed in close coordination with Ministries of Defence, External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and various other agencies of the central government and state governments.
