Covid-19 Committee

The committee aims to liaise with the British Government, Indian authorities and airlines to provide clear understanding and guidance on the current situation. Our primary role is to ensure UK nationals in India reach home safely. As members your are able to provide your concerns to the committee and these are then acted upon. This is as UK nationals may feel that more can be done by the relevant authorities and thus, the committee aims to ensure a meaningful response is achieved through a united stance.

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*** IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS *** 

 

After providing personal and holistic support systems to UK nationals stranded in India since the Janta curfew (23 March), we are delighted that most individuals are boarding scheduled repatriation fights between 9-18 August 2020 - this is in the several thousands and was once estimated to be a few hundred! 

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank the unprecedented support our volunteers, members and the UK nationals stranded in India have received. The committee and its member's are incredibly grateful to the FCO, Indian authorities and independent individuals who have put in an astounding amount of effort to make arrangements for the repatriation of UK nationals. Whilst it remains impossible for us to individually acknowledge all individuals, the committee has concluded that it will provide a certification of appreciation to Ms. Amee from the FCO (U.K.) for her relentless effort and determination that helped pave the way for repatriation during such dire and unprecedented times. Other certificates of appreciation include individuals from the Government, Commissioner Offices, Collector Offices, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) of India, Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, Dr Pranay. K. Shah, Dean of B J Medical College and Dr. Jayanti S. Ravi, Commissioner of Health and Welfare.    

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Finally, a massive thank you to all individuals for maintaining social distancing during these uncertain times. 

 

We wish you well.

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C. Mistry

Chair

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From 13 August 2020, the committee will now only be able to provide support to: 

(1) UK nationals who are suffering from Covid-19 and are unable to board scheduled repatriation flights,

(2) UK nationals stranded in India under the age of 18,

(3) UK nationals in India facing homelessness or risk of homelessness, 

(4) UK nationals in India demonstrating emergencies, such as, request for emergency travel document.

(5) UK nationals demonstrating an essential need to travel across states as all state borders are closed.  

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Currently the Committee is working on the following matters:

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1. The committee has now gained clarification on how we can support UK nationals stranded in India who have travelled to the airport to board repatriation flights but have unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19. 

2. The committee can now confirm additional Indian authorities and FCO staff will be on site to aid individuals boarding as members demonstrated some concern.

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Updated 13 August 2020.  

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1. Additional flights from states have been confirmed and published. However, there are only two flights from AMD departing on the 13th and 15th April 2020. Solved: additional date added from AMD to LHW with the plane seated initially from Hydrabad on 17th April 2020.

2. The committee can now clarify that Virgin Atlantic will be managing the British Airways flight and CTM are responsible for all enquiries. Thus, we have communicated to CTM for e-mails our members and others have received which states different luggage allowances.

3. The committee has contacted the British High Commission in New Delhi for additional support as the curfew has been extended until April 30 and is likely to extend further. 

4. The committee can now confirm KTC (a company responsible for collection and drop off to airport) is not the only method to arrive to airports, although it is advised. 

5. We have emailed all members on how to contact KTC and a named staff member to direct enquiries to, should the pick up address have changed.

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Updated 12 August 2020.

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1. The committee can now communicate the response from CTM (booking management) that all individuals will be resent the link within the next 24 hours. The committee is awaiting a response from CMT for those individuals travelling within 12 hours. Solved. 

2. We are working on trying to find a solution for UK nationals who have had their passports lost or stolen and are hoping to make repatriation flights. Solved: Consular services may be able to take interviews (if required), via the internet. There is no solution to how they can collect the emergency travel document (ETD) until postal services are re-opened. The prospect of collection is slim and this individuals in this difficult situation are requested to apply for the ETD as a matter of urgency and to stay safe indoors. 

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Updated 11 August

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1. Members have stressed that the charter flight payment page shows payable amount as £0.00 and could lead to seats being lost.

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Updated 10 August 2020.

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1.  Arrangement of wider evacuation flights to repatriate UK nationals as travelling between states is prohibited.

2. Booking link from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for chartered flights from Goa redirects to Mumbai booking page (solved).

3. Booking link from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for chartered flights from Delhi is corrupted (solved).

4. Seeking clarification as flights are announced from Goa, Mumbai and Delhi although, only UK nationals in the state of Maharastra can book their flights (solved).

5. Repatriate chartered flights are very expensive and thus are bursaries or other financial relief available for UK nationals stranded in India

6. When being picked up by members of the High Commission/Authorities to aid individuals travel to the airport what indentification will be presented to prevent being victims of scams.

7. Which repatriation arrangements are being made for UK nationals with Covid-19 that are unable to travel in the arranged chartered flights.

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Updated 05 April 2020.

 

All UK nationals in India are strongly encouraged to keep up-to-date wiith the FCO web-page and their social accounts.