Thiruvananthapuram: The state government will remove the condition that expats coming in chartered flights should produce COVID negative certificate. Instead of this, the passengers have to undergo antibody test prior to the flight journey as per new decision. The government decided to withdraw their previous decision due to strong disagreements from many.

Earlier, the government had put forward the condition that the expats who return from foreign countries on chartered flights should have COVID negative certificates issued within 48 hours. This was directed as many people repatriated from Gulf countries were diagnosed with COVID-19 after reaching the state. The condition was to be implemented from June 20 onwards.

However, this move led to severe criticism from many parts as even Vande Bharat Mission had no such condition for repatriating expats. Also, the COVID tests are very expensive in foreign countries. The NRIs are unable to bear the expense in the current situation, it was pointed out.