INS Airavat to bring 189 citizens back in next phase of evacuation from Male

Chennai

In this phase, the Indian Navy Ship Airavat is expected to bring back 189 people from Male in Maldives to Thoothukudi Port. INS Airavat sailed from Thoothukudi Port and reached Male Port on Saturday. The ship left the Male Port on Sunday evening after embarkation of the 189 people.

To meet the standards of social distancing and reducing the risk of spread of any infections, the ship is divided into zones to ensure that all safety protocols are followed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

All the passengers on board the ship will be subjected to proper medical screening and temperature check through infrared thermometers during the journey.

All the passengers who are being repatriated will be provided with new masks each day till they reach the Thoothukudi Port and hand sanitizers are also made available inside the medical desk to prevent transmission.

So far, a total of 1,565 passengers have entered Tamil Nadu through sea ports since June 1, 2020 and seven of them have been tested positive for COVID-19.

Thus, the passengers arriving at Thoothukudi Port by INS Airavat will be subjected to quarantine and testing for COVID-19 as per the protocols by the state health department officials too, said sources.