Covid-19 flight suspension: Stranded in UAE, 54 Indian expats take bus to Saudi

At least 54 Indian expatriates, who were stranded in the UAE amid flight restrictions to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, have left for Riyadh in buses, Khaleej Times has learnt.

Nearly 600 Indian expatriates were left stranded in the UAE in December after Kuwait and Saudi Arabia closed their borders amid concerns about the new Covid-19 strain that has spread throughout Europe.

Most of them were able to fly back to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait once borders reopened last week. Only 250 of the stranded expats had tickets to go back to Saudi Arabia as the Kingdom restarted international flights.

“At least 54 Indians have gone to Saudi via bus,” confirmed Neeraj Agarwal, Consul (Press, Information, and Culture) at the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Community groups Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre and Markaz Dubai, in collaboration with the consulate, are providing the groups with free accommodation, food, and, in some cases, bus transportation to Riyadh.

“So far, 54 people have been taken to Riyadh by bus free of charge. On Sunday, about 28 people more will travel to Riyadh. The final bus is expected to leave on Tuesday, January 13,” said Puttur Rahman, president of the UAE Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre’s (KMCC) National Committee. “A total of 110 people are expected to travel to Saudi in this manner.”

The group began providing shelter to those stranded on December 25, 2020.

Rahman explained: “Many have left. Another issue is that only one bus can go at a time. All passengers need to undergo Covid-19 RT-PCR testing.”

Markaz Dubai had offered free food and accommodation to nearly 250 stranded expats.

“We facilitated air travel of around 50 expats to Saudi Arabia and 10 to Kuwait. And 22 have left on the bus so far. We will support the rest of the expats to travel soon,” Luqman Mangad, volunteer captain, Markaz Dubai, said.

The beneficiaries thanked the UAE community organisations for their help.

Sam Chacko couldn’t afford to extend his hotel stay after the borders were closed. “I was upset. I didn’t know what to do. Markaz and ICF volunteers offered timely shelter. I hope they are able to continue their good work and help those in need.”

Pramod V.P., who faced a similar situation, said: “I was very worried when my hotel package ended. But I got free food and accommodation. I will never forget these volunteers.”

Iqbal Hassan was wowed by the he received at the shelter centre. “I am grateful to find such volunteers in Dubai. They treated all of us as brothers.”

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi