Govt decides to bring Nepalis back home from third countries ‘on priority basis’

Kathmandu / May 29: The government has decided to bring the Nepalis abroad home on a priority basis.

A meeting of the High Level Government Committee for Prevention and Control of COVID-19 held on Friday decided to bring back Nepalis in the third countries based on ‘the priority of emergency’.

According to secretary at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Narayan Bidari, those who have been given general amnesty and who are required to perform final rites of their relatives will be brought back to the country. Similarly, those who have been left jobless after the expiry of labor contract, those having health issues except COVID-19, and those women who are pregnant and are in a puerperium period will also be brought back home in the first phase.

Bidari also added that the government will also bring in senior citizens and physically challenged persons and the government employees who are there for training and studies. “They are required to submit their details to the Nepali embassies in the respective countries,” Bidari said, adding that they will be rescued by Nepal Airlines Corporation and other carriers of Neal once their details are received and processed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will verify the details and hand it over to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.

The committee meeting also designated the different entry points along the Nepal-India border for the repatriation of Nepalis living in India. Those points include Pashupatinagar, Kakarbhitta, Raji, Sunauli, Thadi, Madar, Makangawa, Gaur, Birgunj and Maheshpur. Similarly, Nepalis in India can enter Nepal via Bekahiya, Taulihawa, Krishnanagar, Jamunaha, Gaurifanta, Gaddachauki and Jhulaghat check posts.

A cabinet meeting had earlier decided to rescue the Nepalis who have been left stranded in foreign lands.