Dubai - Those who cannot afford quarantine facilities will also be provided with free accommodation in schools and colleges.
Published: Wed 13 May 2020, 9:00 PM
Last updated: Wed 13 May 2020, 11:27 PM
The state government of Karnataka has relaxed quarantine norms for international passengers returning home as part of the Vande Bharat Mission, Khaleej Times has learnt.
Pregnant women, children below 10-years of age, senior citizens above the age of 80, and terminally ill passengers are exempt from institution quarantine. Instead, they shall be 'stamped' and sent for mandatory 14-day home quarantine from the date of arrival. All other passengers shall be subject to 14-day institutional quarantine in Covid-19 care centres.
Those who cannot afford quarantine facilities will also be provided with free accommodation in schools and colleges, with mobile toilets.
However, Dubai-based Kannadiga (people from Karnataka) community leaders has said the decision was made after immense pressure from local community leaders, following the 'terrible treatment' given to passengers who landed at Mangalore airport on Tuesday.
According to a circular issued by the State Government of Karnataka on May 13, the standard operating procedure (SOP) for domestic and international travellers arriving in the state has been revised. Khaleej Times has seen a copy of the circular.
All passengers belonging to the above-mentioned category shall be subject to a check-up by a medical team where they will be tested for temperature, oxygen saturation, and symptoms of Covid-19. The circular has been signed by Jawaid Akhtar, the additional chief secretary to government Health and Family Welfare Department and Medical Education Department.
Chaos at airport after first flight lands
Praveen Shetty, Karnataka non-resident Indian (KNRI) Association president, and Mohammad Naveed, Dubai-based businessman and president of Anivasi Kanandigaru Dubai said the decision was largely made due to the 'terrible' arrangements that were made for the passengers who returned on the first flight to Mangalore on Tuesday, May 12.
Naveed said, "We discussed this in detail with the deputy CM yesterday. According to the feedback we received from the passengers who went on Tuesday, they were all treated like Covid-19 patients." Naveed said the passengers, including pregnant women, had to wait for five hours without food, water, and they were not allowed to use toilets.
"Pregnant women were asked to carry their own bags, weighing 20 kgs. Even the district collector wasn't present at the airport. It was chaotic and completely mismanaged," he lamented. Shetty added, "It was the first flight and we are hoping in the coming flights things should improve," stated Shetty.
According to Consul General of India to Dubai, on the flight to Mangalore there were 177 passengers. "A lot of priority was given to pregnant women. There were 39 pregnant women, 15 people over the age of 70, 27 medical emergency cases, and some workers and students," said Vipul.
Free quarantine for those who cannot afford one
Shetty said the move is largely beneficial for pregnant women, the elderly and children. He has also assured that free quarantine services will be given to those who cannot afford it.
"We have spoken to the deputy chief minister of the state Ashwath Narayan, and he has assured that free quarantine facilities will be given to labourers returning from here, and those who cannot afford it," said Shetty.
A second flight for distressed expats from Karnataka has also been arranged, said Shetty. "It will be on May 18. We are just ironing out the specifics of the exact time of the flight and the list of passengers who will be on it," added Shetty.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
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