The Tourism Ministry has come to the rescue of a number of foreign tourists including an American, two Costa Ricans and an Australian family stranded in India. As many as 769 foreign tourists have reached out to the Government for help and support amid the 21-day nationwide lockdown to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The foreign tourists registered themselves on the Tourism Ministry’s portal strandedinindia.com, launched five days ago. The portal has been launched to identify, assist and facilitate foreign tourists who are stranded in various parts of India.

Every State Government and Union Territory Administration has identified a Nodal Officer for assisting such foreign tourists and the 5 Regional Offices of the Ministry of Tourism are constantly coordinating with the Nodal Officers.

While the Tourism Ministry Regional Offices are coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration and FRROs regarding Visa issues being faced by the stranded foreigners, requests for movement within the country/ state and for transfer to home country of such tourists are also being coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and with the respective Embassy/ High Commission/Consulate.

The stranded foreign tourists are being contacted over e-mails, telephones and also in person depending on the nature of support required by them.

“A lady, who is an American citizen, was stranded in Supaul district of Bihar amidst the COVID19 lockdown, while her son was undergoing a surgery at Delhi. The portal facilitated the required inter-ministerial, inter-departmental and State-Centre coordination and secured her a special transit-permit to travel to Delhi. She has safely reached her destination and expressed her gratitude for the efforts put in by all the concerned agencies,” the Ministry said.

It also cited the examples of helping out two Costa Rican and an Australian tourist who was stranded with his family in Ahmedabad. “The tourist has epilepsy and ran out of medication prescribed by Australian doctors due to the lockdown. The portal led to the tourist being reached through the office of the District Collector. He was provided with sufficient medication and was also offered food and local transportation. Now, they are comfortable and safe,” the statement added.