Tourism Ministry reaches out to foreign tourists stuck in India; Launches site 'Stranded in India'

New Delhi, March 31: In order to extend support to the foreign people who are stuck in India due to coronavirus pandemic, the Tourism Ministry of Indian government has come up with a portal 'Stranded in India' on Tuesday. The portal is "to disseminate information regarding the services that can be availed by foreign tourists who have stuck far away from their homeland."

 

 

The portal aims to act as a support network for foreign tourists stuck in various parts of the country as the government has imposed travel restrictions and 21-day lockdown to contain the pandemic in India.

 

 

The portal (strandedinindia.com) will be consisting of following information that will be useful for the tourists in their time of need:

 

a) Comprehensive information around COVID-19 helpline numbers or call-centers that the foreign tourists can reach out to for help.

 

b) A variety of information around the Ministry of External Affairs control centers along with their contact information.

 

c) Information around state-based/regional tourism support infrastructure.

 

d) Help Support section to extend help to the ones in need of further information and connect foreign tourists to concerned authorities.

 

The Ministry stated, "The entire world is facing a truly unprecedented situation arising out of coronavirus and it is a constant endeavour to ensure the wellbeing of tourists, especially the ones that travel from foreign countries. Accordingly, the Ministry of Tourism is constantly staying vigilant and encouraging various initiatives to help the ones in need. The website will be featured on the Tourism Website and prominent Ministry of Tourism channels."

 

Meanwhile, according to the reports, citizens of Israel, Malaysia, Germany, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, Peru, and Afghanistan are stranded in India. Over 2,500 Afghans are stranded in India. However, the government has extended their visas of all foreign visitors, who are unable to leave the country due to travel restrictions till April 15. There are also many foreign nationals including Iran, Italy, Japan and Malaysia who were evacuated from the worst virus-hit countries along with the Indian nationals.