Dubai: UAE-based Indian expats’ plea for exemptions in RT-PCR tests required for travelling to India is gathering steam with social workers and community groups echoing the call.
As reported by Gulf News, Indian expats here have raised concerns over making RT-PCR tests mandatory for all passengers, including infants and sought government funding for on-arrival confirmatory molecular tests.
The plea seeking government funding for RT-PCR test on arrival in India and exemption for children below 12 years from getting tested twice is gaining momentum after prominent social workers and community groups joining the bandwagon.
Since February 23, India has made pre-departure RT-PCR negative test report taken within 72 hours prior to the flight mandatory for boarding flights to India. All passengers from here should also undergo “self-paid confirmatory molecular test” on arrival in India.
Dubai, Feb 25: Indian expats in the UAE are seeking exemption from the self-paid Covid-19 tests for passengers on their arrival in India, saying it would be an added burden for those returning home after losing their jobs during the ongoing pandemic, according to a media report.
In a plea, the expats have urged the Indian government to fund the RT-PCR test on arrival in India and exemption for children below 12 years from getting tested twice- in the UAE and India. Various community groups and social workers have supported the plea, the Gulf News reported.
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Sanjay Jain
Chief Sanjay Jain is the President, Indian Cultural Association (ICA), Lagos, Nigeria. He spoke on the significance of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) Non Resident Indian Day where his association got the ‘Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award’ (Non Resident Honour Award) from Government of India at the 16th PBD Convention held in New Delhi, India. to GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR writes
JANUARY 9 is significant to India, as it was the day Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation, returned to India from South Africa. To give cognisance to the date, Government of India decided to celebrate ’Pravasi Bhartiya Divas’ (Non Resident Indian’s Day) on this date.