Kerala on high alert as nearly two lakh expats set to return

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With more expats returning back and the number of COVID-19 cases through local transmission increasing in the state, the government has intensified its efforts to contain the pandemic. While around 50 chartered flights are landing in the state every day, more than 1000 flights have been permitted to fly back Keralites from various parts of the world. Meanwhile, 94 flights of the Vande Bharat Mission will also land in Kerala till July 15. With nearly two lakh expats returning to the state, authorities are looking forward to intensifying safety measures such as screening at airports and placing the expats in quarantine.

It must be noted that the state had reported 195 positive cases on Saturday, its highest single-day spike in the number of positive cases. According to the government, the situation might go out of control unless local transmission of the disease is prevented.