Efforts on to restore normal flights to UAE, Indian ambassador says

India will also source supplies of medical oxygen from other countries including the UAE, says Pavan Kapoor

A woman takes care of her husband who has Covid-19 as they wait outside the casualty ward at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, in New Delhi, India. Reuters 

Family members mourn after a man is declared dead amid a surge in coronavirus cases in India. Reuters

A patient with breathing problems is seen inside a car while waiting to enter a hospital for treatment, amid the spread of the coronavirus in Ahmedabad, India. Reuters

India’s second Covid-19 wave is devastating, with more than new 200,000 coronavirus cases recorded each day. Reuters 

Dr Rajesh Bhagchandani, centre, a director at Apex hospital in Bhopal city, intubates a patient. He feels helpless that the hospital, which is now reserved for critically ill Covid-19 patients, cannot accommodate more people who require oxygen. Dr Rajesh Bhagchandani

Dr Himanshu Dewan, director of critical care at QRG hospital in Faridabad, a town near India’s capital New Delhi, says the number of deaths will climb because patients do not have access to treatment. Dr Himanshu Dewan

A health worker arranges oxygen cylinders that are being used for Covid-19 coronavirus patients at a private hospital in Allahabad. AFP

Dr Himanshu Dewan, director of critical care at QRG hospital in Faridabad, a town near India’s capital New Delhi, is acutely aware a patient could die on the road if turned by hospitals that cannot admit more Covid-19 cases . Courtesy: Dr Himanshu Dewan

A man carries an empty oxygen cylinder to get it refilled at a private refilling station, for his relative who is suffering from the coronavirus disease, in New Delhi. Reuters

Patients with breathing problems are seen inside an ambulance waiting to enter a Covid-19 hospital for treatment in Ahmedabad. Reuters

A health worker collects a nasal swab sample from a woman in Amritsar. AFP

An Indian police officer distributes face masks in Hyderabad. AP Photo

A health worker administers the Covidshield vaccine at a government hospital in Hyderabad. AP Photo

People wearing masks wait to test for Covid-19 at a hospital in Hyderabad. AP Photo

A health worker takes a mouth swab sample at a hospital in Hyderabad. AP Photo

Nuns wait to take a test for Covid-19 at a test center in Kolkata, Eastern India. EPA

India is working with the UAE to ensure normal flights resume soon between the two countries, the Indian ambassador said on Sunday.

The UAE suspended flights from India starting from midnight on Saturday after a steep surge in Covid-19 cases in the south Asian country.

The decision included all national and foreign airlines.

"We are in touch with the UAE authorities on a regular basis and will work with them to explore how best to restore normal air bubble operations at the earliest,"  Pavan Kapoor, India's ambassador to the UAE, told The National.

"The announcement by the General Civil Aviation Authority and the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority of the UAE to restrict the entry of Indian nationals into the UAE is a temporary measure and will be reviewed after 10 days."

People in some exempted categories can still travel to the UAE from India.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management confirmed that UAE citizens, diplomatic missions between the two countries, official delegations, business planes and golden residency holders are exempt.

There are no restrictions on travel to India from the UAE, Mr Kapoor said.

The diplomat urged UAE residents to follow Covid-19 safety rules and get vaccinated as 349,691 new cases were recorded in India on Saturday.

"The recent surge in cases in India has become a matter of concern for all Indians, including those residing in the UAE," Mr Kapoor said.

“These are difficult times and we can extend our support in this crucial fight against Covid-19 by following the prescribed health protocols, maintaining adequate social distancing and taking any available vaccine."

The ambassador called on residents to encourage their loved ones in India to comply with guidelines.

“The Government of India, in consultation with medical experts, medicine and vaccine manufacturers and the respective state governments is taking appropriate steps to ensure availability of more hospital and ICU beds, vital medicines and ventilators," he said.

"The country is increasing the supply of medical oxygen using all possible sources within India, and from other friendly countries, including the UAE.”

Thousands of Indians returned to the UAE this weekend before flights to the Emirates were suspended.

Many people paid more than Dh4,000 ($1,088) – six times the usual cost of a one-way fare.

Puthur Rahman, president of the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre and Indian Social Club Fujairah, said he was trying to speak with Indian authorities in the UAE to understand how best to help countrymen back home.

Mr Rahman said he would co-ordinate help that is in line with local official guidelines.

The UAE-India airline corridor is one of the busiest in the world.

UK-based aviation data firm OAG calculated airlines flew almost 1.2 million seats between the two countries in March, making it the second-largest market in the world after Mexico-US.

Around 300 flights a week were operating between the UAE and India before the ban was announced.

Additional reporting by Haneen Dajani