India allows movement of stranded migrant workers, students & tourists |
Indian ministry of Home affairs has allowed Migrant labourers, students, pilgrims or tourists who do not have symptoms of coronavirus to return to their home states. The order comes a day after the Centre was asked to respond to the issue by the Supreme Court, which was hearing a set of petitions asking that migrant labourers who do not have COVID-19 be allowed to go home. In its order, the home ministry asked states to appoint nodal bodies and draw up protocols for the movement of stranded people. It stated, "The moving person(s) would be screened and those found asymptomatic would be allowed to proceed," the government said. After arriving at their destination, they will have to stay in home quarantine for 14 days, unless institutional quarantine is advised. It read, “Buses will be allowed for the interstate movement of the people and they should be sanitised between trips. The rules of social distancing should be maintained in the seating arrangements.” The order comes less than a week before the lockdown is scheduled to end. On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a fourth video-conference with Chief Ministers of around 10 states, where an exit plan from the lockdown was discussed. Several states, including Punjab and Bengal, have however said they need to extend the lockdown in view of the coronavirus situation.
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