New Delhi: Efforts are on to bring back over 600 Indians stranded in coronavirus-hit China, said external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Thursday.
Asked about delay in evacuation process Kumar said, "It takes time to put system in place. We first needed to get in contact with Indians living there. Second, we will seek approval from the Chinese side. As soon as we get Beijing's nod we will repatriate them."
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Speaking to media over travel restriction following outbreak of the virus he said, "No restrictions have been imposed on movement of people who are willing to visit India."
The MEA spokesperson also confirmed that the Chinese delegation which was scheduled to arrive for the auto-expo in Noida next week has not cancelled the visit. Though he reiterated the MEA travel advisory asking Indian nationals to refrain from travelling to China amid Coronavirus outbreak.
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According to the World Health Organisation report, over 170 people have died in China so far. More than 7,711 cases of Coronavirus have been recorded. Out of 170, 37 deaths have occurred in Hubei province.
Whereas the first confirmed case of Coronavirus in India has emerged from Kerala's Thrissur district.