Kerala seeks "flexiblity" in making changes in lockdown
Thiruvananthapuram, May 11 (): Chief Minister PinarayiVijayan on Monday suggested to Prime Minister Narendra Modithatstates should have the "flexiblity" in changing lockdownguidelines and allowing public and Metro rail services byfollowing social distancing norms, except in red zones.
Vijayan, who spoke during the video conference held byModi with state Chief Ministers, also suggested that anti bodytest be conductedon expatriates before they arrive here fromvarious countries. "Kerala has a substantial population of Non Residentsstaying abroad. Some of them are coming back in specialflights and many more are likely to come back.
Wheneverthey are transported by special flights, theyshould be subjected to antibody test prior to boarding", hesaid adding there was a possibility of many travellersgetting infected if this was not done.
"We are already facing a situation wherein five positivecases were reportedfrom passengers who came to the state inchartered flights last week", he said.
As states werefacing challenges of COVID-19in differentdegrees,each one should have the "flexiblity"in makingreasonable changes in lockdownrelated guidelines withintheirrespective jurisidiction, he said.
After assessing the situation prevailing in a state, therespective states should have the flexiblity to allow publictransport, subject to social distancing norms and restrictionswithin districts, he said.
The Chief Minister suggested that Metro rail transport beallowed in cities other than inRed zones, subject to similarrestrictions
Three wheeler transport can also be allowed subject tocapacity restrictions after considering the situation in adistrict by the state governments, he said.
Vijayan also wanted states to be allowed to operateIndustrial and Trade establishments, taking into considerationthe ground situation, but with restrictions like socialdistancing in areas, except containment zones.
On the lines of Shramikspecial trains to take migrantworkers back to their states, Vijayan also wanted specialtrains to bring back Keralites stranded in various states.
Pointing out that the state has already demanded aspecial train from Delhi to Kerala, mainly for students, hesaid tickets for these trains should be issued according tothe registrations made with the state government.
This is because the state had given priority to students,those with medical emergencies, aged people and likewise.
However, railways have started online bookings regardlessof the state's registration,he said, adding this would onlyhelp undermine Kerala's efforts to curb spread of COVID-19. Kerala also wanted non-stop trains from Mumbai,Ahemedabad, Kolkatta, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru tobring back its people stranded due to the lockdown.
The Chief Minister said those arriving in Kerala fromother states or abroad are effectively monitored in homequarantine by government departments and Local Self Governmentinstitutions,he said. RRT UD APRRAVINDRANATH APRRAVINDRANATH