KOCHI: Vande Bharat Mission bringing back non-resident Keralites (NoRKs) stranded in foreign countries including Gulf will begin today. Air India Express from Abu Dhabi will land at 9.40 pm marking the beginning of the historic mission. The flight from Dubai to Kozhikode will reach at 10.30 pm tonight. Eight flights including these will be reaching various cities of the country today.

Air India Express from Abu Dhabi to Kochi will leave at 4.15 pm (UAE time) with 177 Indians. They will reach Nedumbassery at 9.40 pm. The second flight from Dubai to Kozhikode will depart at 5 pm. The flight with 175 expatriates will reach Karipur Airport at 10.30 pm. Distribution of tickets for both flights have been completed.

6500 pregnant women have registered to return from UAE alone. Athira, a pregnant woman who approached the Supreme Court seeking steps to reach the state, is one among in the first team. Among those coming from UAE in the first phase include Indians who have lost their jobs, pregnant women and their relatives, aged people etc.

Anti-body testing and thermal screening would be conducted in the airports to identify the disease. Only people testing negative will be permitted to leave. The Dubai Indian Consulate has directed passengers to reach the airport five hours before for the tests. Centre’s directive is that they should give in writing that they would be in quarantine for 14 days either in hospitals or other centres.

Anyone showing symptoms of the virus will not be permitted to travel. The passengers will be given three-layer face mask, two sets of hand gloves and sanitizer. Passengers and employees have been directed to wear the mask throughout the journey and have asked to maintain social distancing.