There was a tearful reunion when Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways brought back hundreds of stranded Indian residents. The residents were stranded due to the suspension of flights between the UAE and India with the emergence of Delta variants (“Tearful reunion in AD; more Etihad flights from India soon,” Gulf Today, August 8).

They were finally able to see each other after four months. Etihad on Saturday said that the airline operated services from New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kochi.


Image used for illustrative purpose only.

Families separated by months of coronavirus restrictions on international travel have finally been able to embrace. Abu Dhabi airport saw emotional scenes of family reunion and crying individuals making their way out of the airport after completing the procedures. Some of the residents have been stuck in India for more than 4-5 months.

Under the new rules introduced by the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA ), which works under the umbrella and supervision of the National Supreme Security Council, the exemptions are applicable to travellers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda.

The authorities said that anyone who will arrive without the ICA approval will not be allowed to enter the country. A resident must visit the ICA website to fill in passport details, vaccine information, and PCR test results.

Ritu Varma — By email