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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday urged the Center to ensure that NRIs returning to the country undergo Covid-19 testing before boarding planes from their respective states.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayan highlighted the state’s concern about the matter.
Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said it was “dangerous” to bring stranded non-resident Keralites (NRKs) back to the state in various countries without testing for Covid-19.
The state was informed that expatriates will not be medically examined prior to boarding the flight from other countries.
At least 200 passengers are likely to come on each flight, and if there are one or two infected people among them, chances are that other passengers will become infected, Vijayan said.
There should be no delay in following internationally accepted health protocols so there is no setback in the state’s efforts to prevent the community spread of Covid-19, he said.
India has already dispatched three naval ships to evacuate its stranded citizens in the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The state has been making systematic preparation for NRK’s return, Vijayan said in the letter, a copy of which was released to the media here.
Although Kerala wanted the NRKs to return to their home state, there should be no commitment regarding adherence to “internationally accepted health protocols”.
“It is quite unfortunate that internationally accepted health protocols are not followed while arrangements are made to bring our people back from countries where the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been severe,” said Vijayan.
People traveling on rented planes should be subject to Covid-19 testing before boarding, he said.
“The consequence of not doing so will result in people carrying the infection traveling with others.
This will further lead to the spread of the infection when these people come home, “the chief minister said in the letter.
At least 4.27 lakh NRK have been registered on the NORKA portal, of which around 1.69 lakh people constitute the most vulnerable sections: those who have lost their jobs, the employment contract has not been renewed; those released from jails and awaiting deportation, pregnant women, students who have completed courses and whose visa had expired.
However, according to the list prepared by the Union government, only 80,000 NRKs are on the priority list to be returned to the state.
In the first five days, only 2,250 people are supposed to arrive at three airports in Kerala: Thiruvananthapauram, Kochi and Kozhikode, “said Vijayan.
He also wanted passengers to pass through Kannur International Airport, as at least 69,179 people have expressed great interest in flying there, he said.
Vijayan also said that all passengers will have to be quarantined for at least seven days, after which a PCR test will be performed and those who test negative will be able to go to quarantine at home.
Antibody tests would also be done, he said, adding that the state has ordered two lakh test kits.
Vijayan said those who come from red zones and hot spots in other states must also be quarantined at government facilities for a period of seven days.
The Center has proposed opening the skies since May 7 for expats who are stranded in other countries due to closure.
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In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayan highlighted the state’s concern about the matter.
Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said it was “dangerous” to bring stranded non-resident Keralites (NRKs) back to the state in various countries without testing for Covid-19.
The state was informed that expatriates will not be medically examined prior to boarding the flight from other countries.
At least 200 passengers are likely to come on each flight, and if there are one or two infected people among them, chances are that other passengers will become infected, Vijayan said.
There should be no delay in following internationally accepted health protocols so there is no setback in the state’s efforts to prevent the community spread of Covid-19, he said.
India has already dispatched three naval ships to evacuate its stranded citizens in the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The state has been making systematic preparation for NRK’s return, Vijayan said in the letter, a copy of which was released to the media here.
Although Kerala wanted the NRKs to return to their home state, there should be no commitment regarding adherence to “internationally accepted health protocols”.
“It is quite unfortunate that internationally accepted health protocols are not followed while arrangements are made to bring our people back from countries where the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been severe,” said Vijayan.
People traveling on rented planes should be subject to Covid-19 testing before boarding, he said.
“The consequence of not doing so will result in people carrying the infection traveling with others.
This will further lead to the spread of the infection when these people come home, “the chief minister said in the letter.
At least 4.27 lakh NRK have been registered on the NORKA portal, of which around 1.69 lakh people constitute the most vulnerable sections: those who have lost their jobs, the employment contract has not been renewed; those released from jails and awaiting deportation, pregnant women, students who have completed courses and whose visa had expired.
However, according to the list prepared by the Union government, only 80,000 NRKs are on the priority list to be returned to the state.
In the first five days, only 2,250 people are supposed to arrive at three airports in Kerala: Thiruvananthapauram, Kochi and Kozhikode, “said Vijayan.
He also wanted passengers to pass through Kannur International Airport, as at least 69,179 people have expressed great interest in flying there, he said.
Vijayan also said that all passengers will have to be quarantined for at least seven days, after which a PCR test will be performed and those who test negative will be able to go to quarantine at home.
Antibody tests would also be done, he said, adding that the state has ordered two lakh test kits.
Vijayan said those who come from red zones and hot spots in other states must also be quarantined at government facilities for a period of seven days.
The Center has proposed opening the skies since May 7 for expats who are stranded in other countries due to closure.
