Migrant labourers, students, pilgrims or tourists who do not have symptoms of coronavirus will now be able to return home soon. The decision has been made by the government saying that it is “very much concerned about the migrant workers”. The government orders come in a reply to a petition filed in the Supreme Court urging it to allow migrant workers with no symptoms to travel back home.
In the order, the Home Ministry has asked states to appoint nodal bodies to ferry back the stranded migrant workers. “The moving person(s) would be screened and those found asymptomatic would be allowed to proceed,” the order said. On reaching the destination, 14-day quarantining is necessary.
Strict Norms
Buses will be arranged for the trips and they will also be sanitised in between the trips. Social distancing protocols will be followed in the seating arrangements too.
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The decision to send back migrants homes a week before the lockdown is scheduled to end hints a possibility of lockdown extension. Also, in a meeting with PM Modi recently, several states had recommended the Centre to extend the lockdown. The government surely doesn’t want its people to suffer for any longer if that happens.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh government has allowed migrants to head back to their homes in a phased manner. The move, however, has concerned neighbouring states like Bihar and Jharkhand. They say it’s completely against the principles of social distancing and lockdown, which alone can contain coronavirus at the moment.
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The goverenemtn had earlier said that that the migrant workers will be looked upon by the states in government facilities. However, news of hunger and lack of facilities keep coming. Thus, the decision, if done in a proper manner, will be a boon for many.
