Home over institutional quarantine: Kerala government revises guidelines for expats

Kerala has revised it's quarantine guidelines for Keralites coming back to state from different parts of country. As per new order, y will be sent to home quarantine inste of a government based institutional quarantine if tested negative in RTPCR tests. latest change takes place following a suggestion by state government's expert committee. 

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State govt revises rules

"Kerala's home quarantine and monitoring h produced good results in first two phases. expert committee has suggested this should be continued and government has approved it," Health Minister KK Shailaja said.

government, however, will give option of a government quarantine facility or a private quarantine facility if y are unable to follow home quarantine guidelines. If guidelines are violated, n person will be sent to institutional quarantine.

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Meanwhile, Kerala High Court has asked Central government to assist return of stranded citizens amid COVID-19 outbreak if y are facing difficulties in paying for flight tickets. A bench of Chief Justices Shaji P Chaly and MR Anitha issued an interim order on PILs concerning return and welfare of Indians stranded abro, particularly Gulf countries.

 "...We observe that in case, any expatriate expresses difficulty to pay flight charges and if it is found to be genuine, embassy and missions of Government of India may take steps in coordination with or n-government organizations abro for transportation of such persons if y have secured necessary registration with appropriate authorities for ir repatriation," bench said.

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Kerala reported at least two cases of Coronavirus amongst those who h returned to state under 'Vande Bharat' Mission.  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said new cases are "a warning to those coming back from abro and for or states to be on alert". He also said re is a need to strengn "our mitigation efforts and preventive measures".

Kerala was among first states in India to report dely virus infection, but it has also earned global praise for having effectively mand to tackle crisis by being among states with much higher recovery rates and much less-spre outbreak so far.