New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has advised Indian citizens not to travel via the UAE to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and consider returning to India, amid COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Embassy also issued an advisory for Indians currently stranded in the UAE asking them to make their further travel plan only after the restrictions in the countries are lifted.
“It has been brought to the attention of the Embassy of Indian in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai that several Indian nationals intending to travel to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have got stranded in the UAE, the Embassy said in the advisory posted on Twitter.
Advisory for Indian Nationals travelling to Saudi Arabia or Kuwait via UAE ?@AmbKapoor @IndianDiplomacy @cgidubai @MOS_MEA @MEAIndia @IndianEmbRiyadh @indembkwt @MOS_MEA @DrSJaishankar @harshvshringla pic.twitter.com/D5jcGv0SbB
— India in UAE (@IndembAbuDhabi) February 8, 2021
It pointed out that, “Due to COVID-related restrictions on incoming passengers, currently it is not possible for Indian nationals to transit via Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.”
“All Indian nationals are, therefore, advised to kindly ascertain the latest COVID-related travel guidelines of their final destination country before embarking on an outward journey from India. They are also advised to carry enough personal provisions and funds to cater to any emergent requirements,” the Embassy stated.
It further added that, “all those Indian nationals, who are already in the UAE en route to Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, are advised to consider returning to India and to make their further travel plan only after the restrictions in the final destinations countries are lifted.”
Earlier on February 2, Saudi Arabia had imposed a temporary suspension on the entry of citizens from 20 countries, including India in order to curb the rise in COVID-19 cases.
Notably, at least 600 Indians who wanted to travel to Saudi Arabia are stranded in the UAE since December last year, the Indian Consulate in Dubai data shows.
-RJV
