COVID transmission multiplies; Malayalis in Chennai rushing to Kerala

Chennai: As the COVID-19 transmission intensified in Chennai, Keralites are rushing to their native places by flights and private vehicles. Thousands of people have already reached Kerala in vehicles arranged by Malayali organisations. Even those who have permanently settled in Chennai are temporarily leaving the city.

Apart from Keralites, people from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are returning to their native places. The city dwellers are in fear as the number of COVID patients multiplied there. Every day, about 1500 new cases are reported in the city. The beds in hospitals are filled. All these factors encourage people to return to their home land.

When lockdown norms were relaxed, people from other states stranded in Chennai were allowed to return home. Many Keralites had returned to their places. But majority of them were students, those who lost jobs and people who arrived for temporary purposes. Malayali Associations had initiated to arrange vehicles for people from same places. Now most of the people are returning with their families.

Apart from people returning in their own vehicles and rented vehicles, the number of returnees by flights also increased. The flight passengers get the travel pass from Kerala government faster than those who want to travel by road. People started returning to Kerala with families after the state government made it clear that COVID transmission may continue in Tamil Nadu till October-November. It is assumed that the number of COVID patients in Chennai can reach 3.5 lakh.