COVID-19 flight suspensions: Hundreds of health workers stuck in India, UAE groups seek support to bring back employees

COVID-19 flight suspensions: Hundreds of health workers stuck in India, UAE groups seek support to bring back employees

Dubai: Hundreds of UAE health workers, who have been stuck in India due to the COVID-19-related suspension of inbound passenger flights from India to the UAE, are appealing to authorities to help facilitate their early return. Prominent private health care groups in the UAE confirmed to Gulf News that hundreds of their employees, including existing ones and new recruits in India, have not been able to travel to the UAE ever since the restriction on passengers from India began on April 25. Spokespersons of different private health care groups said they were in discussion with authorities and had sought support to bring back front line warriors to the UAE since the flight suspension has been extended. They also pointed out that health care workers have been fully vaccinated and appealed for their return subject to compliance with COVID-19 travel protocols announced for exempted categories of passengers such as UAE golden visa holders and diplomats. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Pavan Kapoor told Gulf News that the Indian missions had already raised the issue with the UAE authorities and sought their support in allowing the health care workers to return. "We are aware of several UAE resident doctors and health care