VIBHA VERMA
vibha@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Embassy of India in Tokyo has begun the process of bringing back Indians to their home country even as two Indian crew members have been hospitalised for novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Information exclusively shared to Herald states that out of 3,711 persons on board the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, including 2,666 gusts and 1,045 crew members, 132 crew members and six passengers are Indians.
“The Embassy has been in constant touch with the ship management company – Princess Cruises – (for the crew members) and the employer of the six passengers, to tie up their travel back to India,” Suman Kansotiya, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of India, Tokyo said in an exclusive email reply to Herald.
Anchored off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, 174 people, including two Indian crew members, have tested positive for nCoV, as of February 12, and have been shifted to hospitals for adequate treatment, including further quarantine, in accordance with the Japanese health protocol.
The Embassy, Kansotiya said, is in constant contact with the relevant Japanese authorities to ensure welfare of Indian nationals on board the ship as well as the possibility of their early disembarkation, in case they are not found to have tested positive for nCoV. “Japanese authorities have confirmed they are following the designated health protocols,” he added.
The Embassy officials have reached out to the Indian nationals through emails and telephone calls and explained to them about the health and safety regulations of Japanese authorities while requesting cooperation. “No Indian national has complained of discriminatory treatment meted out to them,” Kansotiya maintained.
Families of Goans on board the virus-affected ship have been raising concern over medical care being provided to the passengers and crew members. While a group of five Indian crew members’ made a video appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Goan seafarer has alleged that no proper medical facilities have been provided and they are not allowed to disembark. He also questioned the efficiency of the quarantine measures.
The Embassy official clarified that those who have not tested positive, irrespective of their nationality, have not been allowed to disembark. However, an exception has been made for critically ill passengers/crew members, who have been allowed to be taken to hospital/medical facilities, under supervision, for further treatment and quarantine.
Bramha Kumar, Counsellor (Pol & IEC), Embassy of India, Tokyo told Herald that the quarantine of 14 days will end on February 19, 2020.
