Expat crisis looms as Kerala insists on Covid -ve proof

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The scuffle over Covid-19 tests for those returning from abroad has intensified with the state cabinet deciding to seek them for all such passengers prior to boarding the chartered or Vande Bharat mission flights to Kerala.
Union minister of state V Muraleedharan said the Union government would be forced to suspend Vande Bharat mission flights to Kerala if the state stuck to its demand. "Conducting tests for all passengers in foreign countries is not a feasible option. It will only add to the returnees' miseries. The Centre is responsible for bringing them back and it will continue its efforts to operate fights from various countries. If the Kerala government is taking a different stand, it will be a severe setback for pravasis,'' he said.
Justifying the decision, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state had never taken a stand against bringing back expatriates. "The state had been demanding testing of passengers before embarking the flight ever since the Centre decided to operate flights under the Vande Bharat mission. We had even demanded sending medical teams to foreign countries for conducting these tests," he said.
Vijayan said it was the Centre's responsibility to ensure necessary testing kits in various embassies. "We can't allow infected persons to travel with other passengers, who may even include pregnant women and senior citizens. It is in the best interests that the government has taken this decision. No one should try to play politics in matters concerning health. The government is concerned about the safety of passengers and people in the state,'' he said.
149 Vande Bharat and 171 chartered flights expected
As many as 179 flights under the Vande Bharat mission and 124 chartered flights have reached the state so far. From June 20, 149 flights under the Vande Bharat mission and 171 chartered flights are expected to arrive.
“From the present data, 52.19% cases reported here are those who have come from abroad. With the increase in number of flights after June 20, it is estimated that at least 4,000 more people could be tested positive. The chances of more viral spread through contact also cannot be ruled out,” the chief minister said.
It is the duty and responsibility of the Centre to ensure that RT-PCR or TrueNat or antibody testing kits are made available at embassies. “Several countries may not have these testing facilities but the Centre can ensure them. The tests can be free for the economically backward,” he said. “Our stand is clear. The cabinet decided to convey its stand as the Centre alone can take a decision on this,” he added.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has announced a daylong fast on June 19 to register his protest against the decision. BJP state president K Surendran said the government was trying to sabotage the Vande Bharat mission.
“The cabinet decision cannot be accepted. Such an approach is cruel as Malayalees stuck abroad cannot fulfil this demand. In most countries, it is not possible for asymptomatic persons to get tested. Such facilities can't be arranged in embassies as well at short notice,” Surendran said.