Kerala CM seeks PM's intervention for COVID-19 tests of expats

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday requested Centre to make arrangements to carry out COVID-19 testing for those returning from various countries through Indian embassies abro.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayan said government should ensure availability of testing kits for expats and that embassies should be given task of testing m for free.

"If re is facility for PCR tests, at least rapid tests should be done. A situation where a COVID-19 positive person travels with n-infected persons should be avoided,"

Vijayan said in his letter, ding that central government should consider operating special flights to bring back COVID-19 patients alone.

letter comes in backdrop of left-run government making COVID-19 negative certificates mandatory from June 20 for n-Resident Keralites in gulf region taking chartered flights to state, a decision which drew flak from opposition Congress led UDF.

Earlier, UDF h pointed out that government h opted a resolution in state assembly against

Centre's decision to ask for a COVID-19 negative certificate from those returning from abro.

With some NRKs raising concerns on matter, government has requested Indian ambassors in Middle

East to inform it of testing infrastructure, cost and protocols available in Gulf, RKA (n Resident Keralites Affairs) Principal Secretary K Ellangovan h told PTI.

Meanwhile, State Health Minister K K Shailaja told media on Sunday that re were chances that a COVID-19 positive person travelling in a flight, might infect or passengers.

".... state government wants everyone to reach state safely. chief minister has earlier clarified that any decision will be taken after Prime Minister's meeting with CMs on Tuesday," Shailaja said.

She furr said efforts were on to prevent community spre of virus and till w government has mand to keep cases through contacts under 10 per cent.

"We cant conclusively say that community sprewill never happen. We were able to keep away threat of

community spre till w. To continue this, we need to work toger. This means, we need to be more careful. latest report shows that we have only 10 per cent of cases due to contact. We need to bring it down to five per cent," minister said.

Leer of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, however, termed as "unfortunate" demand for COVID-19 negative certificates for those returning to state from abro.

"We demand Vande Bharat mission protocol to be followed while bringing back expats.

However, health minister is stating orwise. voluntary organisations are helping those who are unable to purchase a ticket. It's t fair asking m to conduct a COVID-19 test," Chennithala said in a release.

Kerala Assembly h on March 12 passed an unanimous resolution against central government's circular barring return of Indians from coronavirus-hit countries unless y produced a certificate that proves y have tested negative for infection.