Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 30: The state government has taken a decision to bring back about 11,000 Kannadigas who have got stuck in different countries on account of lockdown, after May 3. This includes tourists, people who have gone for various purposes like training, students, and others.

The central government has taken up the initiative of leading Indians waiting to come back to India from various centres overseas. An estimated 10,823 persons from Karnataka too are eager to come back home. In the first phase, 6,100 persons will be brought back. In addition to ships, ships of the Indian Navy are also likely to be pressed into service as social distancing will have to be maintained during the travel.

Suresh Kumar

The government wants to bring back Kannadigas in Saudi Arabia, England, Canada etc. Minister Suresh Kumar, said that their health would be checked before returning and after reaching here. They will also have to undergo 14 days quarantine here.

There are 4,408 tourists, 3,074 students and 2,284 professionals in the list of returnees, the minister clarified. Mainly, the people stranded in Canada (328), USA (927) and Gulf countries would be screened at the airports. Based on the health condition they would be provided with suitable treatment, he added. He also said that preparations are afoot to bring back Kannadigas waiting in other states to Karnataka.