Indian Newslink Digital Issue - April 1 2020

04
APRIL 1, 2020
Homelink
High Commission offers essential items to stranded Indians
Who qualifies clarified,
the distribution process
to be determined
Venkat Raman
The Wellington-based Indian
High Commission is considering
offering essential items to
Indian passport holders who
are stranded in the country with no
relatives or friends and devoid of cash
or EFTPOS facility.
Hamper for essential
commodities
High Commissioner Muktesh
Pardeshi told Indian Newslink a short
while ago that he and his officials are
working on a formula of offering such
help.
“Although our High Commission
is shut for direct, person-to-person
contact, our officials are working
from their homes and a very few of us
selectively attend the High Commission
for short periods to continue to render
services to our clients. We understand
that some people from India may be
stranded in New Zealand and may
require our help. This is under consideration,”
he said.
High Commission Second Secretary
Paramjeet Singh also told Indian
Newslink that he and other officials
have been working with the High
Commissioner in this connection.
“The facility that we are considering
is in terms of providing a hamper
containing basic items such as rice,
dhal, soap and a few other daily
necessities. The exact number of items
and the quantity of each of these will be
decided in a couple of days,” Mr Singh
said.
Mr Pardeshi said that the facility will
Muktesh Pardeshi, India’s High Commissioner
to New Zealand (INL Photo)
be only for Indian passport holders
who are stranded in New Zealand
because of the Covid-19 related
government lock down.
Eligibility criteria
“There may be Indians from India
(holding Indian passports) who may
be grounded in this country because
they are unable to return home since
there are no international flights. Some
of them may be travellers who neither
have friends and relatives or funds
in New Zealand. There may be some
students from India who are unable to
do their 20-hours of work and hence no
income to support themselves. It is to
help such people that we are considering
provision of a hamper,” he said.
The location/s from which such
hampers will be available, the process
of identification and such other details
will be decided by the Indian High
Commission, Mr Singh said.
The distribution process
“We have to work out the logistics
in compliance with the New Zealand
government laws of lockdown due
to Covid-19 (Alert 4) including social
distancing and ensure that distribution
of these hampers occurs from venue/s
that is/are allowed to do so. We will
need a few days to work out a proper
Paramjeet Singh, Second Secretary, Indian High
Commission, Wellington (Picture Supplied)
formula. We will also consult the
relevant authorities,” he said.
Work subsidy for temporary
workers
The Indian High Commission
is aware that not all visitors and
temporary visa holders will need any
help. The New Zealand government
announced yesterday modifications
to its Work Subsidy Scheme, which
declared that relief will be available
to ‘everyone legally working in New
Zealand.’
This is further defined as ‘A person
who has a New Zealand work visa
or a condition on their New Zealand
temporary visa that allows them to
work in New Zealand.’
As always, please do not take this
news report as general or individual
advice. Please contact the authorities
for further clarification. The official
website www.covid-19.govt.nz contains
all details.
Private Sector help welcome
While the Indian High Commission
initiative is for only selective Indian
passport holders who are in genuine
distress, Mr Pardeshi said that he
would welcome any help from anyone.
They can write to
hoc.wellington@mea.gov.in
Funeral gatherings prohibited
to prevent Covid-19 spread
Venkat Raman
The government has issued
new directives that prohibit
funeral gatherings throughout
New Zealand as a part
of the steps to prevent the spread of
Covid-19.
A notification from the Office of
Ethnic Communities said that the
directive applies to all deceased persons,
regardless of when and where
they died, or the cause of death. It
includes gatherings at burials, cremations,
memorial services, open or
closed caskets or viewings, funeral
wakes, processions or receptions
and social gatherings, both indoors
and outdoors.
Protecting public health
“Our communities have had to
make a number of changes to our
cultural and faith practices to keep
people and communities safe. This
now extends to funerals and burials
of our loved ones during lockdown,”
the notification said.
The new rules cover Churches,
Mosques, Synagogues, Temples,
Marae, private funerals at home
and any other venue.
“We must protect people’s health
and ensure our health system can
look after all people in New Zealand
who become sick. Bereaved families
and whānau from all cultures and
backgrounds will find this time challenging.
This makes it even more
important that we show each other
kindness and caring, manaakitanga
and aroha,” the notification said.
Guidance and suggestions
Funeral Directors, categorised
under Essential Service at Alert
Image by floristluton from Pixabay
4 Level, will provide guidance,
including the best options for each
situation.
These could include livestreaming
services on social media, or videos
for viewing later.
“Not being able to say goodbye to
a loved one, in the way we are used
to, will be very challenging.
There are strict rules in place
for when loved ones pass away,
regardless of the cause. These rules
apply to everyone, every culture,
every religion,” the notification said.
“COVID-19 is now in the
community and public gatherings
put your family and friends at risk,
especially at risk family members
and our older people. The public
must note that burials may happen
very quickly and the ashes from cremations
may not be returned until
we are out of lockdown and into a
recovery period. “These are tough
rules which many will find hard, but
we can’t risk the health and safety of
our family and friends.”
These rules will remain in place,
while we remain in lockdown.
https://covid19.govt.nz/
help-and-advice/for-everyone/
funerals-and-tangi/
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