Lok Sabha Question No. 4031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-18
Subject: Relief Material to China
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Sudheer Gupta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4031 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2020

## RELIEF MATERIAL TO CHINA

## 4031.     SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE: SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has sent a transport aircraft to the Coronavirus hit Wuhan to deliver relief material;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the details of the items supplied by India to China;
- (c) whether the said good will gesture by India is likely to develop strong IndoChina relations and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the number of Indians infected from Coronavirus along with their present position so far, country-wise; and
- (e) the necessary measures taken/being taken by the Government to combat the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (c) The Government of India provided 15 tonnes of medical assistance comprising masks, gloves and other emergency medical equipment to China on 26 February 2020. These supplies were delivered by an Indian Air Force C-17 special flight which landed in Wuhan, China. This assistance was provided as a mark of friendship and solidarity from the people of India towards the people of China as the two countries also celebrate 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. These medical supplies were handed over to the Hubei Charity Federation in Wuhan, China. The details of the medical assistance provided are enclosed in Annexure I.

(d) The details of the number of coronavirus infected Indian citizens abroad as per available information are enclosed in Annexure II. The Indian Embassies in the   respective   countries   are   in   touch   with   such   Indian   citizens   regarding appropriate medical attention in cooperation with local authorities.

(e) The Government has constituted a high level Group of Ministers (GoM) under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare to review, monitor and evaluate the preparedness and measures taken regarding management of COVID-19 in India. External Affairs Minister is also a member of this GoM. Ministry of Health and Family welfare has also issued several advisories in this regard, including the most recent one on 11 March 2020, which has been enclosed at Annexure - III.

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## ANNEXURE- I

| Medical Supplies Sent To China   | Medical Supplies Sent To China   | Medical Supplies Sent To China   |
|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| S. No.                           | Description of Commodity         | Quantity                         |
| 1.                               | Surgical Masks                   | 1 Lakh pieces                    |
| 2.                               | Surgical Gloves                  | 5 Lakh pairs                     |
| 3.                               | Infusion Pumps                   | 75 pieces                        |
| 4.                               | Enteral Feeding Pumps            | 30 pieces                        |
| 5.                               | Defibrillator                    | 21 pieces                        |
| 6.                               | N-95 Mask                        | 4000 pieces                      |

## ANNEXURE-II

## Details of the Number of Coronavirus Infected Indian Citizens Abroad

|   S.No . | Country/Region           |   Number of Indian infected |
|----------|--------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Hong Kong SAR            |                           1 |
|        2 | Islamic Republic of Iran |                         255 |
|        3 | Italy                    |                           5 |
|        4 | Kuwait                   |                           1 |
|        5 | Rwanda                   |                           1 |
|        6 | United Arab Emirates     |                          12 |
|        7 | Sri Lanka                |                           1 |

## CONSOLIDATED TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)

More than 100 countries across the world now have reported cases of COVID-19. People traveling to these countries or people who have travelled abroad might come in contact with people affected with COVID-19 during their stay or even while in transit at the airports. Within these countries, few countries have reported very large number of cases and deaths putting passengers from these countries particularly at higher risk of infection. Travel Advisories had been issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time. The following consolidated Advisory is presently issued.

1. All existing visas (except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas) stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.

2. Visa free travel facility granted to OCI card holders is kept in abeyance till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure.

3. OCI card holders already in India can stay in India as long as they want.

4. Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid and they may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through e-FRRO module for extension/conversion etc. of their visa or grant of any consular service, if they choose to do so.

5. Any foreign national who intends to travel to India for compelling reason may contact the nearest Indian Mission.

6. In   addition   to   Visa   restrictions   already   in   place,   passengers   traveling from /having visited Italy or Republic of Korea and desirous of entering India will need certificate of having tested negative for COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorized by the health authorities of these countries. This is in enforcement since 0000 hrs. of 10th March, 2020 and is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside.

7. All incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15th February, 2020 shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. This will   come   into   effect   from   1200   GMT   on   13th   March   2020   at   the   port   of departure.

8. Incoming travelers, including Indian nationals, are advised to avoid nonessential travel and are informed that they can be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days on their arrival in India.

9. Indian nationals are further strongly advised to refrain from travelling to China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain and Germany.

10. All   incoming   international   passengers   returning   to   India   should   selfmonitor their health and follow required do's and dont's as detailed by the Government.

11. International traffic through land borders will be restricted to designated check posts with robust screening facilities. These will be notified separately by M/o Home Affairs.

12. All international Passengers entering into India are required to furnish duly filled self-declaration form in duplicate (including personal particulars i.e. phone no. and address in India) ( as annexed) to Health Officials and Immigration officials   and   undergo   Universal   Health   Screening   at   the   designated   health
13. For any queries related to health, people may contact Ministry of Health & Family   Welfare   24*7   helpline   number   (+91-11-23978046)   or   email   at

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counters at all Points of Entry. (ncov2019@gmail.com).