Crowd flouts social distancing rules outside Embassy

TDT | Manama

A mob had gathered in front of the Indian Embassy yesterday to collect or enquire about repatriation flight tickets to India, raising concerns about violating social distancing guidelines and gathering in public with more than five people.

Witnesses who were also at the Embassy at the time told TDT that Embassy security staff tried to control the crowd and have them spaced out with a safe gap between one another, but could not get through to them partly due to language barriers.

“People came to the Embassy in large numbers, outside of the time allotted for their original appointments; that’s what led to the crowding in front of our gates,” said Indian Embassy second secretary PK Chowdhury. Chowdhury told TDT that the Embassy has “taken adequate measures to ensure the safety of those visiting the Embassy.

Each visitor will be allotted a specific timeslot in regulated numbers, during which social distancing measures will be ensured”. He explained that people will no longer be allowed to crowd in front of the Embassy for long periods of time.

“We will accommodate them in a regulated manner within the Embassy premises, where we have the required space and arrangements,” Chowdhury said. He also addressed the possible language and communication barriers that might arise between the Embassy’s security staff and visitors.

“We have deployed our own security staff and employees to convey the necessary social distancing guidelines,” he explained. “We are addressing each new issue that might come up during these times of uncertainty.”

Indian civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri had earlier stated that around 38,000 inbound Indian citizens returned on around 640 chartered flights, as more flights are being cleared to arrive from around the world. Chowdhury also confirmed that the Embassy is working to increase the number of chartered repatriation flights from Bahrain.

“As per the standard protocols, many organisations and individuals are submitting their proposals; to serve the people, the embassy will work to enable the repatriation of as many applicants as possible,” he said.