"Dangerous" to bring back NRKs without COVID-19 tests: Kerala CM
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayanhighlighted thestate's concern on the matter.
Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said itwas"dangerous" to bring back the stranded Non-ResidentKeralites (NRK)s in various countries to the state withoutconducting any tests for COVID-19.
The state was informed that the expatriates willnot be medically examined before boarding the flight fromother countries.
In each flight at least 200 passengers are likely tocome and in case there are one or two infected people amongthem, there are chances of other passengers getting infected,Vijayan said.
There should not be any lapse in followingInternationally accepted health protocols lestthere should besetback in the state's efforts to prevent community spread ofCOVID-19, he said.
India has already sent three naval ships to evacuateits citizens stranded in the Maldives and UAE due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.
The state has been making systematic preparation forthe return of NRKs, Vijayan said in the letter, a copy ofwhich was released to the media here.
Though Kerala wanted the NRKs to return to theirhome state, there should not be any compromise with regard toobservance of the "Internationally accepted healthprotocols".
"It is quite unfortunate that internationallyaccepted health protocols are not being followed whilearrangements are being made for bringing back our peoplefrom countries where the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic hasbeen severe," Vijayan said.
People travelling by chartered aircraft should besubject to COVID-19 tests before boarding, he said.
"The consequence of not doing so will result inpeople who are carriers of infection travelling along withothers.
This will further lead to spread of the infection asand when these people come to their homes," Chief Ministersaid in the letter.
At least 4.27 lakh NRKs have registered in the NORKAportal, of which about 1.69 lakh people constitute the mostvulnerable sections-- those who have lost their jobs,employment contract has not been renewed;
those released from prisons and awaiting deportation,pregnant women, students who have completed courses and whosevisa had expired.
"However, as per the list prepared by the Uniongovernment, only 80,000 NRKs are in the priority list forbeing brought back to the state.
In the first five days, only 2,250 people aresupposed to arrive at three airports in Kerala--Thiruvananthapauram, Kochi and Kozhikode," Vijayan said.
He also wanted passengers to be brought through theKannur International airport as at least 69,179 people haveexpressed keen interest in flying there,he said.
Vijayan also said all passengers will have to spendat least seven days in quarantine after which a PCR test wouldbe conducted and those tested negative would be allowed to gofor home quarantine.
Antibody tests would also be done, he said, addingthat the state has placed orders for two lakh test kits.
Vijayan said that those who are coming from red zonesand hotspots in other states must also undergo quarantine inthe government facility for a period of seven days.