Centre allows inter-state movement of stranded people amid anti-Covid lockdown
New Delhi/IBNS: Amid the nationwide anti-Covid-19 lockdown, the central government on Wednesday allowed all stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students with no Coronavirus symptoms to head back to their home states.
The order came from the Centre as the country is set to partially exit from the lockdown mode in less than a week's time.
All stranded people will be screened at the beginning of their journey as well as at their destination.
Moreover, the travellers will have to remain in home or institutional quarantine on arrival following the guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The lockdown, which was initially called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mar 24 for 21 days, had led to a humanitarian crisis with several migrant workers stranded at various parts of the country triggering a panic nationwide.
GoI issues order to State/UTs to facilitate Inter-State mvmt of stranded people inc. #MigrantLabourers, in the country.
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 29, 2020
All persons to be medically screened at source & destination; & kept in home/institutional quarantine on arrival, as per @MoHFW_INDIA guidelines.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/4zfztwB2NA
Though the respective state governments as well the Centre had repeatedly assured of enough food supply for all, the migrant workers took to their feet to cross state borders.
In a more worse situation amid the lockdown, which was later extended by Modi till May 3, the migrant workers allegedly being motivated by some false social media posts and news reports gathered outside Mumbai's Bandra railway station to head back to their homes creating chaos and flouting the social distancing norms.
As per IBNS sources, 101 buses with more than 2,500 students will come to West Bengal. The buses will reach three zones of West Bengal, Kolkata, Siliguri and Asansol.
Though some more relaxations are expected to be given by the Centre in green zones (which has a dearth of any Covid case), the red and orange zones (which have active Covid cases) are likely to have lockdown activated.
(Image Credit: UNI)
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