Discrimination, Rejections: What Foreign Tourists Are Facing In India Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
Since the second wave of coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in India, which was reported on mostly those returning from European countries and a group of 16 Italians visiting the country tested positive for the infection, it is a tough time for foreigners in the country.?
While most of them have already left India, due to the outbreak across the world, which has forced several countries to ban or restrict entry inside their borders, some are still struggling to leave. For them, it is nothing worse than a nightmare.?
Last week, following reports that hotels are denying rooms for tourists from Italy, South Korea, and Iran with valid visas due to fear of coronavirus, the Union tourism ministry stepped in and asked four state governments to ensure no discrimination against foreign travellers.?
However, for many, the struggle continues. In Kerala, which is one of the worst affected states, and also attracts a lot of tourists from across the world there is a growing panic.?This was triggered after a British man, who was under observation in a resort in Kerala's Munnar after he showed symptoms of Covid-19 fled from there and managed to board a flight to Dubai on Sunday. But just before the flight was about to take off he, along with all the other passengers were offloaded.While the UK man had tested positive, twenty Dubai-bound passengers were also detained for examination.?
There was also another scare in Thiruvananthapuram after an Italian tourist tested positive for Covid-19. There were reports that he along with another Italian tourist had visited several tourist places and that they had fled a quarantine facility. The second sample of the Italian man has reportedly found out to be negative.However, as the news spread other foreign nationals have faced difficulties.
An Italian man who was in Vagamon was reportedly denied rooms by several resorts and he was forced to spend the night at a local crematorium.He has since left the city on a local bus and the authorities have not been able to trace him.In a similar case, a group of French tourists who were tested negative for Covid-19 said they were left hungry after they lost their wallet.?
They reportedly went around asking for food and help but were turned away by locals.Only after the police was informed about their presence, the French national got some help. The French Embassy has also contacted them and they will be repatriated soon.
