New Delhi: The Union government upholds the decision of Kerala government seeking COVID-19 negative certificate from expats from the gulf and other countries, who want to make a return to the southern state.
Amidst protests from Congress, IUML and expats, Kerala government has been firm on its the decision on allowing international passengers only those who have COVID-19 certificate.
According to the Kerala government, the returnees from the Gulf should possess the COVID-19 certificate which was tested within three days of their travel date.
“If a positive passenger is travelling along with negative passengers, the former will be a carrier and infect others. This would put pregnant women, children and elderly people’s lives at risk,” the Kerala CM claimed recently.
Read: Vijayan relents a bit, COVID negative certificate a must from 25th
Though the petitions were moved before the Supreme Court, the apex court set aside the saying it will not intervene in the policy decisions of the state government.
Meanwhile, the Union civil aviation ministry on Monday submitted the Kerala High Court that it is accepting the rule of Kerala government in allowing the expatriates.
The Congress Party leader and former chief minister Oommen Chandy on Tuesday again stressed that the government should not demand the Keralites who are under pressure in abroad.
“In many countries, there are very critical procedures to undergo for COVID-19 test. So, it is impossible for expatriates to test in Gulf Countries. The LDF government should not put the lives of expatriates under risk,” the former CM said in Kerala.
It is noted about 84,915 passengers have arrived at the state of Kerala until June 17 and 713 of them were tested positive for the virus.
As the Center approved the decision of Kerala government, it is mandatory for expatriates who want to fly back to Kerala should furnish COVID-19 certificate from June 25.
