Keralites in UAE anxious over state govt's move over mandatory COVID-free certificate

From June 20, all private chartered flights departing to Kerala from the middle-east countries shall only carry passengers, who have been tested for Covid-19 infection and shown to be negative. A test certificate to that effect should be carried by each passenger. Many stranded Keralites have expressed unhappiness over this decision.

New Delhi:Keralites who are residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and eager to make a return to God’s own country due to the pandemic are in a state of anxiety as Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make arrangements in embassies for COVID-19 tests for expatriates.

Kerala Principal secretary K Elangovan has also released an order that all chartered flights coming to Kerala should make its passengers undergo COVID-19 tests.

“Only passengers who turn negative for the virus will be allowed to board. This will be followed from June 20,” the Government Order read.

Meanwhile, the Kerala CM has also stressed the same through a letter to the Prime Minister.

“As many passengers who are arriving in Kerala from UAE turned positive for COVID-19 infection, it is essential to test them for the infection before they board the flights. This may prevent the spread of the virus to co-passengers, especially to elders and pregnant women,” CM consolidated his decision in the letter.

Even as the Kerala government claimed that it is essential as COVID-19 cases are increasing after many expatriates are reaching the state, people residing in the UAE are not happy with the decision.

“People are stranded without any job, food, and shelter. Many are cashless and barely have any money to eat. At this time, the Kerala government should get back its residents without any demand. If the government wants to test us, they can do that during our arrival. Suggesting tests through embassies will further delay our travel,” said a resident of Malappuram and currently stranded in Dubai.

According to reports, around 17 lakh Keralites reside in gulf countries and around 218 died during this lockdown. There are 2,461 persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 so far in Kerala.