Without screening, we are putting at risk all those people who are flying back together but we have limitations in implementing the testing in other countries. There is a danger of super spreading of the virus inside the aircraft. To minimise the risk, we will be implementing these new guidelines from tomorrow for all those who are flying in from other countries.
Kerala announces new guidelines for Pravasi returnees from Gulf countries
Thiruvananthapuram, June 24: Kerala today announced a set of new guidelines for expatriate migrants (Pravasies) from the Gulf countries who are coming back to Kerala from tomorrow by Vande Bharat mission flights and chartered aircraft.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said, "90% of the new Covid-19 cases being reported in Kerala are in those who came back from outside the State and 69% of the new cases are among those who arrived from abroad. Without screening, we are putting at risk all those people who are flying back together but we have limitations in implementing the testing in other countries. There is a danger of super spreading of the virus inside the aircraft. To minimise the risk, we will be implementing these new guidelines from tomorrow for all those who are flying in from other countries."
All those who come from countries where testing facilities are available should take the test and carry the test certificate with them. The test must be taken within 72 hours of the flight (validity of the test report will be for 72 hours). They should register on the Kerala Covid Jagratha website and give all details. All passengers must undergo screening in accordance with the protocol of the State Health Department at the arrival airport. Those with symptoms will be shifted to the hospital for further tests.
All passengers who have not taken a test before flight must undergo a rapid antibody test at the airport even if they have no symptoms. Those who test positive must undergo RT PCR or Gene Express or TruNat test. Even if they are negative, they must undergo the mandatory quarantine for 14 days. They should wear the N95 mask, use face shield and hand gloves while travelling. They should also use a hand sanitizer.
Those coming from Qatar must have green status in their country's Ehtraz mobile app. Upon arrival, they must undergo a Covid screening test at the airport. Covid test certificate is a must for all those who come from the UAE. it may be noted that UAE is conducting an antibody test for all those who fly out of the country. Those returning from Oman and Bahrain must wear the N95 mask, face shield and hand gloves. They should also use a hand sanitizer. Those coming from Saudi Arabia must wear PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for the safety of fellow travellers, in addition to the N95 mask, face shield and hand gloves. The same rule applies to those who have not been tested in Kuwait. Upon arrival, they will have to undergo a Covid test at the airport.
Passengers can exit from the airport only after the test results. Test facilities will be provided at these airports and the Health Department will take steps to safely dispose of the PPE kits, gloves and mask used by passenger. The Chief Minister also added that strict action will be taken against those who violate the government's instructions and quarantine norms, under the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Diseases Act. These matters will be communicated to the Foreign Ministry and the Embassies concerned.
Minister for Health & Social Justice, Smt KK Shailaja; Revenue Minister, Shri E Chandrasekharan, and Chief Secretary, Dr Vishwas Mehta IAS, were also present for the briefing.
Kerala Covid-19 Tracker
152 new cases & 81 recoveries today, total 1,691 patients under treatment
Thiruvananthapuram, June 24: Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that 152 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Kerala today, the highest single-day tally so far, while 81 patients have recovered from the same.
98 of the new positive cases are those who came back to the State from abroad and 46 who arrived from other states. Eight have got infected through primary contact - three persons in Kannur district and one each in Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.
The country-wise details of the new cases are Kuwait-49, UAE-22, Saudi Arabia-12, Oman-5, Qatar-4, Bahrain-2, Tajikistan-2, Malaysia-1 and Nigeria-1. The state-wise details are Delhi-15, West Bengal-12, Maharashtra-5, Tamil Nadu-5, Karnataka-4, Andhra Pradesh-3, Gujarat-1 and Goa-1.
The district-wise details of those who tested positive are 25 persons from Pathanamthitta district, 18 in Kollam district, 17 from Kannur district, 16 in Palakkad district, 15 each from Alappuzha and Thrissur districts, 10 in Malappuram district, eight from Ernakulam district, seven in Kottayam district, six from Idukki and Kasargod districts, four in Thiruvananthapuram district, three from Kozhikode district and two from Wayanad district.
35 patients from Kozhikode district, 13 in Alappuzha district, 10 from Kannur district, seven in Malappuram district, four each from Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, three in Kottayam district, two from Idukki district, and one each from Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Palakkad districts are those who tested negative while under treatment.
The total number of Covid cases confirmed in Kerala so far is 3,603 and 1,691 patients are still under treatment.
1,54,759 persons are currently being monitored in various districts of the state. Of these, 1,52,477 are under observation at their homes or institutional quarantine centres and 2,282 are in isolation wards at hospitals. 288 people were admitted to hospitals today.
4,941 samples were tested today. 1,48,827 samples have been sent for testing and the results of 4,005 samples are awaited. In addition, as part of Sentinel Surveillance, 40,537 samples were collected from priority groups and 39,113 samples were negative.
14 new places were declared as hotspots today even as 14 were excluded from the list. There are presently 111 hotspots in Kerala.
Misleading newspaper reports a threat to Pravasies abroad: Kerala CMThiruvananthapuram, June 24: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today said that misleading reports in newspapers here will be a threat to the lives of Pravasi Malayalees who continue to live in foreign countries and also for those who plan to go back to those countries.
The Chief Minister was responding to a report by a vernacular newspaper about the death of Keralites abroad due to Covid. The newspaper report had alleged that more Keralites will die abroad because of the lack of intervention of the State Government.
The Chief Minister said, "We need to remember one thing that Keralites still live in all these countries and they just need to stay there. Any misinformation campaign will affect them. It is really dangerous that the newspaper is misleading those who are still there. Keralites are spread across the world. No one has died because of the lack of flights to Kerala. They have had access to medical treatment available in every country and it is unfortunate that they died. Could we bring back all the sick Pravasies from foreign countries? Are they unaware that in the past there were lockdowns with no flights and no alternatives? It is sad that people are trying to capitalise on this situation."
"When the government took the stand that screening should be made mandatory for all coming back from foreign countries, some came up with a campaign to mislead them. There was an attempt to provoke expatriates and create resentment against the government. The Government had stated from the beginning that all expatriates who desire to return are welcomed to Kerala and the government will make all the necessary arrangements", he added.
72 flights are coming to Kerala today and a total of 14,058 passengers are expected to arrive in these flights. 71 are from the Gulf countries. 24 flights will be landing in Kochi, 22 in Kozhikode, 16 in Kannur and 10 in Thiruvananthapuram.
So far, 543 flights and three ships have arrived in the state. Out of these, 335 are chartered aircraft and 208 were part of the Vande Bharat mission. So far, 1,114 flights have been approved with 154 consent letters. 462 chartered flights have been approved till June 30.
The government has been providing free medical treatment to all the people diagnosed with the disease so far.
Source: GoK Direct
Pravasi returnees | Vande Bharat mission | Covid-19 | Pravasi
