Thiruvananthapuram: Union Minister V Muraleedharan flayed the Kerala government stance of making COVID certificate mandatory for expatriates returning by chartered flights. Speaking to Mathrubhumi News, he called the government action as impractical.
“No other state in India has imposed such a criterion. The government is torturing its people because this would adversely affect those returning from Gulf countries. Among Gulf nations, only in Bahrain people can take COVID-19 testing. Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar people are tested as per protocol - only those with symptoms are tested,” he said
Only in UAE, COVID testing is done in private sector. However, it could be impossible to avail test facilities there. For booking tickets, results of COVID tests done within 48-hours should be submitted. Also if the tickets are booked earlier and then test is taken, the money will be lost if the results turn positive or if delayed, the minister added.
The 48-hour time frame is practically non-feasible. I don’t understand why the government has put forward such a guideline even after Kerala made such extensive preparations for the return of expats. 1.5 lakh rooms were prepared for their quarantine. Even during discussions at External Affairs Ministry, it is said that there is no need to worry about Kerala as everything is well prepared, he further added.
Though Ministry is worried about other states, it is least concerned of Kerala. I am yet to understand why Kerala is resorting to such measures that will result in less number of returnees.
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