London: Despite the travel restrictions imposed by the government in view of the COVID-19 outbreak, 19 Indian students in London are demanding to be put on a flight to India.
The students, mostly from Telangana sought refuge in the Indian High Commission premises here on Saturday and have refused offers of alternate accommodation arranged for them.
They are being advised to seek help from the Coronavirus Immigration Helpline of the UK Home Office
A community leader, working with the High Commission on arrangements for the stranded students said, “The Indian community has tried to help them and initially it was a group of 59 students, 40 of whom have been allocated alternative accommodation but the remaining 19 are being completely unreasonable and refuse to move.”
However, the UK Home Office will not be taking any action against the students and employees who are not attending their colleges and offices due to the pandemic.
Appealing to the High Commission, a student wrote, “I am an Indian citizen, currently in Newcastle, United Kingdom on a student visa. My visa expires March 24, 2020. I was to travel back to India March 23, 2020 and all the flights are being cancelled due to the COVID-19 as per Indian rule. What should I do.”
Several students had booked their tickets to India for later this month as it is an Easter break at the UK universities.
Earlier this week, India had issued a travel advisory stating that no travellers would be allowed entry into the country until March 31, 2020.
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