The bodies of Indians who die abroad due to Covid may be returned: MHA | India News



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NEW DELHI: The Home Office said Saturday that the bodies of Indian citizens and OCI cardholders, who died abroad due to Covid-19, may be returned, but with strict adherence to the relevant guidelines.
In an official communication, the ministry said that the airport authorities must follow the protocols established by different government agencies in this regard.
It is clarified that “the immigration functions regarding the arrival of corpses and mortal remains of Indian citizens / OCI cardholders are subject to strict compliance with the guidelines / instructions issued by various ministries and departments related to the management of Covid -19 and no objection, approval and approval of the ministries of health and foreign affairs in this regard, “the communication said.
The Interior Ministry also said that the standard operating procedures (SOP) issued by the Ministry of Health in this regard must be strictly adhered to.
According to the POE, human remains signify the corpse and exhumed body of confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patients. He says that the import of human remains from the confirmed or suspected Covid-19 case into India is not recommended.
The MHA said that if, contrary to the above recommendation, human remains from the suspected or confirmed Covid-19 case arrive at Indian airports, the airport health officer (APHO) must follow certain procedures. The APHO will verify the death certificate by mentioning the cause of death as either confirmed Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19, it said.
It will also verify the certificate of no objection (NOC) for the transportation of the human remains of the deceased issued by the Indian embassies or high commissions or consulates. Embalming certificate issued by a licensed agency, the ministry said.
In examining the packaging or human remains, he said the airline in question will ensure that the outer packaging of the coffin is not damaged.
APHO will verify the required documents and inspect the packaging in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Aircraft Rules (Public Health). 1954, said the MHA.
If there are obvious signs of damage to the coffin, handlers should wear full PPE, cover the coffin with plastic sheeting to avoid any contact with the body or bodily fluids before handing over the human remains to the proper burial authority final. or cremation
Personnel handling human remains must follow established procedures for putting on and taking off personal protective equipment and other protective measures for Covid-19 such as washing hands with soap and water, etc. to make sure they remain protected during the procedure, he said.
The coffin must be buried or cremated following the burial or cremation rules for human remains with high-risk pathogens, the MHA said, adding that the handlers will be monitored for 28 days and the designated vehicle disinfected according to the regulations.
In all of these cases, APHO must order the airline in question (which transports the damaged packaging containing human remains) to carry out the disinfection of the aircraft according to the rules, it said.
In addition, the personnel handling the cargo (concerned human remains) will be quarantined for 28 days.
The MHA said the ashes left after cremation pose no risk to family members handling such mortal remains and will be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Aircraft Rules (Public Health), 1954.
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