Coronavirus: 600 Hongkongers stuck in India’s lockdown as lawmaker urges aid for largest group of city residents stranded overseas
- Lawmaker Jeremy Tam says many are Indian people holding Hong Kong identity cards, with around 70 to 80 of them carrying a Hong Kong passport
- More than 400 of them are stranded in Punjab state, and some 100 are in Mumbai
About 600 Hongkongers stuck in India – the largest known group of city residents still stranded overseas amid the coronavirus pandemic – have called for help from the city’s government with the country in the throes of its three-week lockdown, according to a lawmaker assisting them.
The news emerged as 65 other residents stranded in Peru are set to arrive in Hong Kong by Sunday on chartered flights.
India has been grappling with the health crisis, with more than 2,900 Covid-19 cases and over 60 deaths. Its three-week lockdown will end on April 14, but authorities will assess the situation in each state to see if extensions are needed.
Civic Party lawmaker Jeremy Tam Man-ho said many of those trapped in the South Asian country were Indian people holding Hong Kong identity cards, with around 70 to 80 of them carrying a Hong Kong passport.
Tam said the residents were trying to seek help from the government, but they had not formulated a joint demand for action.