Antibody tests should be done on leaflets if RT-PCR tests are difficult, said Pinarayi Vijayan (File)
Thiruvananthapuram:
Expatriates wishing to return to Kerala will now have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 tests and carry certificates stating that they have tested negative for the highly contagious coronavirus before boarding a flight to the state, the minister said on Wednesday. chef Pinarayi Vijayan. Apart from those returning as part of the Vande Bharat mission from the center, Indians who return on charter flights must also be tested for coronavirus before boarding the flight.
“It is not safe for passengers to have a few infected people among them. If RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) testing is difficult for passengers, antibodies must be carried out, “added the chief minister.
The state government has also stated that if countries lack facilities for testing, the center should make arrangements to test returnees through the embassies of those countries. “This issue has been raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Airlines can also work with the Ministry of Health to facilitate testing,” said Pinarayi Vijayan.
300 SpiceJet flights have been authorized by Kerala to return stranded Indians to the state, and the airline has informed the state government that it is conducting COVID 19 tests before the flight, said Vijayan.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan in a slamming tweet Mr. Vijayan called his decision “inhuman”.
“@ Vijayanpinarayi’s decision to make certificates # COVID19 compulsory for expatriate Malayalais is anti-people, discriminatory and ill-conceived. It goes against the sole objective of repatriation during the pandemic. Tweeted.
.@vijayanpinarayidecision to take # COVID-19[FEMALE[FEMININE Mandatory certificates for Malaysian expatriates are anti-people, discriminatory and poorly designed. #VandeBharatMission@Narendra Modi@AmitShah@JPNadda@ BJP4India
– V Muraleedharan (@VMBJP) June 17, 2020
Responding to criticism of V Muraleedharan, Pinarayi Vijayan said: “Unfortunately, a Union minister was part of a disinformation campaign. Do not try to play politics using public health during a disaster.”
“If we don’t learn from our lessons, are we humans? Can we stay away from our responsibility to protect those who arrive? Isn’t that our responsibility too? The central government must do this “It is not something that can end with arguments. Decisions must be made taking into account current needs,” said Mr. Vijayan.
Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala, calling the chief minister’s decision cruel, said the coronavirus test results take four to seven days and cannot be obtained within 48 hours. In addition, it would also impose a financial burden on returnees who are currently facing unemployment, he said, adding that he would observe a fast before the Secretary of State on June 19 against alleged state apathy and central governments towards expatriates.
Kerala asked the center for specific quarantine guidelines for state residents who land in Delhi, Mumbai or other cities and then reach their homes.
“Instead of going through mandatory quarantine twice in two states, if they get tickets to get to Kerala within five days, they should be allowed to quarantine in Kerala. But it would be better if the flights be extended to the state, “said Pinarayi Vijayan.
Kerala has reported at least 2,622 cases of coronavirus with 20 deaths to date.
