Centre to take call on evacuating Indian students from Philippines on Friday

The Centre will take a call on Friday on bringing back hundreds of Indian students who are stuck in the Philippines and are unable to fly home due to the travel restrictions imposed by India to contain the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, Union minister G Kishan Reddy said.

The minister of state for home affairs said that parents need not worry as the central government has directed the Indian Embassy to take measures to ensure the safety of Indian students.

"Over 1,000 Indian students, including Telugus, are in the Philippines. We have spoken with the Health Ministry whether to test them and keep safe in that country or bring them home. A decision will be taken today," Reddy told media.

Most of the students are pursuing medical courses in the Philippines, he added.

The Indian government on Tuesday banned the entry of passengers from Afghanistan, Philippines and Malaysia to India with immediate effect amid stepped up efforts against COVID-19.

The students are running out of time as the Philippines government has given them 72 hours time to exit the country, which started from March 16, after which the country will go into lockdown.