Kerala banks on caution, issues SOP for short visits

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Persons – who are coming to Kerala for a short visit from other states – will be allowed to stay for a maximum of seven days without mandatory quarantine after obtaining entry passes through covid19jagratha portal.
The government has issued a detailed SOP and health advisory for people who come here for business, official, trade, medical purposes, court cases and issues related to property management. Since placing such visitors in home or institutional quarantine is not feasible, government allowed them to visit the state for a short period.
Students, who arrive to write exams or other academic-related purposes, can also avail this facility and stay for three days before the start of their exam and three days after the exam ends. Such students shouldn’t leave their rooms for any purpose other than the approved one.
As per SOP, visitors should go directly to the hotel or their place of stay without halting anywhere in between the place of arrival and place of stay. They shouldn’t meet other persons or visit places other than the purpose for which they got permission. They should not visit hospitals or public places during their stay.
Visitors should provide details of their local itinerary along with the purpose of visit, local accommodation and a contact person. Any deviations during the visit shall be informed to authorities with valid reasons.
District collectors concerned, after verifying the details, will approve short visit. The local contact persons/company/sponsor will also be responsible for this short stay. They can order food through room service or online food delivery. They should not extend their stay without obtaining prior permission from the authorities concerned.
Collectors, district police chiefs and other heads of departments should ensure that such visitors follow SOP meticulously and leave after the permitted period.
Visitors should contact DISHA helpline 1056, if they develop mild symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, breathlessness or diarrhoea. They shouldn’t leave their room without the permission of the local public health authority. If they develop even mild symptoms they should be moved to Covid treatment centres, tested and based on the result, further management options should be offered, said the health advisory.
If the traveller tests positive within 14 days after his return, he/she shall inform the control room at once. If the traveller fails to follow any of these conditions, he/she will have to undergo institutional/paid quarantine for 14 days.