A fresh batch of 53 evacuees from Iran have arrived at an Army Wellness Centre in Jaisalmer on March 16, following the COVID-19 outbreak in the Middle East country, where there has been over 700 deaths so far.

This is after the first batch of 236 evacuees that arrived at Jaisalmer on March 15. As per the procedure, preliminary screening of these persons was undertaken at the airport upon arrival. Thereafter, they were moved to the quarantine facility here in Rajasthan where they will undergo 14 days quarantine under professional medical supervision. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) on March 15 said measures were afoot to take the evacuees in. On March 15 morning, 236 evacuees from Iran reached Jaisalmer in two Air India planes, said the PRO (Defence), Rajasthan.

The civil and the army authorities are working in close coordination to ensure a seamless and smooth handling of the situation. Army authorities had been provided adequate PPE (personal protective equipment) kits and other support by the state government, he added. Stating that the situation in Rajasthan is under control, he said, Chief Minister's video-conferencing with the Collectors in morning had strengthened the resolve to meet the coronavirus challenge.

"Covid-19 has been declared a pandemic by the WHO and a large number of Indians stranded in coronavirus-hit countries, like Italy and Iran, are being evacuated," he said. As a precautionary measure, these evacuees will be kept under 14-day isolation. The army has set up wellness centres at various places for the purpose. The 236 Indians evacuated from Iran on Saturday were being kept in isolation at the Jaisalmer army wellness centre, he added.