Thiruvananthapuram, April 28: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that as and when the Central Government allows aircrafts to bring back non-resident Indian, the State is ready to receive them. Till now, 2.76 lakh Pravasi Malayalees from 150 countries have registered on the Norka website indicating their desire to come back to Kerala. As per the initial numbers, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thrissur districts have the maximum number of Pravasi returnees.
A committee under the District Collector with representatives from the Airports Authority of India, Kerala Police and Head Department would oversee the elaborate arrangements at the airports to receive the Pravasi Malayalees. There will be doctors and paramedical staff at the airport for detailed checking of the arriving passengers. The rooster of the passengers would be obtained from the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs well in advance.
The Chief Minister said that after the initial screening, those without symptoms would be sent to their homes for quarantine. There would be regular monitoring by the Police and Healthcare workers to ensure that they follow the quarantine rules. Telemedicine facilities and mobile medical units would be set up under panchayats to ensure proper medical care for those under isolation. Those who cannot undergo quarantine at home can opt for the government quarantine centres.
Those with symptoms would be moved straight to the quarantine centres and their luggage would be sent home. The Motor Vehicle Department and Police have been entrusted to make the necessary transport arrangements. Adequate quarantine and medical facilities near airports have been identified and made ready.
“If the Central Government decides to bring the Pravasis by ships, we will make similar arrangements at the ports also. There is no shortage of Viral Transport Medium and we have enough stock of PCR and RNA extraction kits. The Kerala Medical Services Corporation has been directed to procure more kits”, the CM added.
Minister of Health & Social Justice, Smt K K Shailaja; Revenue Minister, Shri E Chandrasekharan, and Chief Secretary, Shri Tom Jose IAS were also present during the briefing.