Priority rules trapping essential workers far from NZ
Jisha Sheela, a registered nurse stranded with her husband Deepu Sudha in India, is among the thousands of essential workers unable to return because of New Zealand’s Covid-19 priority rules.
The couple had travelled to India to visit family, and were caught up in the coronavirus border closures and are now stuck in Kerala, in the south.
Their hopes rose when Air India said it will take Kiwis on a flight leaving Delhi for Auckland this Thursday to bring Indian nationals home.
But then they were told priority will be given to New Zealand citizens and residents, and their families, and essential workers like Sheela will just have to wait.
“What bad luck for us . . . and we have lost hope,” said Sudha. “They are giving priority first to New Zealand citizens and their family members, then permanent residents and only then essential work visa holders.”
Sudha, a machine operator from Woolston, Christchurch, said they have been in Kerala since February.
An estimated 1000 Kiwis are stranded in the region and many have said it was impossible to get to Delhi or Mumbai to catch mercy flights.
“We finally got the happy news that there will be an Air India flight from
Delhi to Auckland, but when we completed the eligibility survey we were told that we are not allowed to book the tickets,” Sudha said.
The uncertainty was causing them severe stress. “We are begging both the New Zealand and Indian Governments to help us, but no one is listening,” he said.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokeswoman said Kiwi citizens and their immediate family members are given priority for seats on the June 4 flight, followed by permanent residents. “Foreign nationals who meet our current immigration requirements will be considered if there are unfilled seats.”
Since April, the NZ Government has repatriated more than 700 New Zealanders and their families from India on three chartered flights.
“India intends to repatriate its citizens from New Zealand using Air India charter flights, which New Zealand citizens in India will be able to travel here on,” the Mfat spokeswoman said.
“So far Air India has one flight scheduled to depart New Delhi for Auckland on Thursday. We expect further flights may become available later in June.”
Details on flight locations, timings and costs would be available on the Air India website once confirmed.