This Article is From May 25, 2020

China To Repatriate Its Citizens From India Amid Surge In Coronavirus Cases

The Chinese embassy put out a notice on its website on Monday, asking those wanting to return home to book tickets on special flights.

China To Repatriate Its Citizens From India Amid Surge In Coronavirus Cases

Those willing to return to China will have to pay for the flight tckets and quarantine facilities (File)

New Delhi:

China has decided to repatriate its citizens, including students, tourists and businessmen, from India who are facing "difficulties" in the country and want to return home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Chinese embassy put out a notice on its website on Monday, asking those wanting to return home to book tickets on special flights.

The move to repatriate its citizens comes in the wake of India emerging as the 10th worst-hit country by the deadly virus, which has infected nearly 1.4 lakh people in India.

The coronavirus, which was first reported in Wuhan in December, has spread to over 190 countries, infecting over 54 lakh people and killing around 3.4 lakh. India had repatriated around 700 Indians from Wuhan in February.

The notice by the Chinese embassy said the people opting to return home will have to accept all quarantine and epidemic prevention arrangements during the flight as well as upon entering China.

The notice in Mandarin said people treated for coronavirus infection or having symptom of the infection like fever and cough in the last 14 days should not board the special flights.

"Through the unified arrangement of the ministry of foreign affairs and relevant departments, the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in India will assist international students in India, tourists, temporary business visitors who have difficulties and are in urgent need to take a flight back home to China," the notice read.

It suggested that people from certain other countries may also be repatriated. The notice said the cost of flight ticket and quarantine in China will have to be borne by the evacuees.

"If your body temperature exceeds 37.3 degrees (inclusive) before boarding or if you have suspected symptoms, you will be refused boarding by the airline," the notice said.

China's decision to repatriate its citizens from India also comes at a time when troops of both the countries are locked in a tense standoff in the areas of Pangong Tso and Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh for over two weeks.

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