Over 1.25 lakh expats to return to Kerala; state on high alert

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the number of Covid cases is increasing among those who have recently returned back to Kerala, more than 1.25 lakh Keralites are likely to return to the state in the coming weeks. With this, health authorities in the state have been warned to remain on high alert.

Most of the expats will be returning through Vande Bharat Mission and chartered flights. So far, various Malayali organisations and institutions have sought permission for 407 chartered flights. Most of these flights will be landing at Karipur, Kannur and Nedumbassery airports. According to reports, around 64 percent of expats belong to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur districts. Quarantine will be intensified in all these districts. While those having enough facilities at home will be asked to go in home quarantine, others will be sent to institutional quarantine. Both police and local administration will have to ensure that there is no quarantine violation.

So far, as many as 53,545 expats have returned to the state in 218 flights. It is learnt that a large number of expats who had returned from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar have tested positive for coronavirus.