MHA allows conditional movement of all stranded persons; asks states, UTs to designate nodal authorities

Srinagar: The Ministry of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued an order allowing movement of migrant workers, tourists, and students stranded at various places across the country amid Covid-19 lockdown.

The MHA, in the order, said that due to the nation-wide lockdown in-place to contain the spread of the coronavirus, many migrant workers, pilgrims, students, tourists and many other people are stranded at different places in the country.

The Ministry same will be allowed to move to their native places while listing the conditions to be followed for the transfer.

“All states, UTs should designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending such stranded persons. The nodal authorities shall also register the stranded persons within their states/UTs,” reads the order.

It states that in case a group of stranded persons wishes to move between one state or UT and another state or UT, the sending and receiving states many consult each other and mutually agree to the movement by road.

“The moving person(s) would be screened and those found asymptomatic would be allowed to proceed. Buses should be used for transport of groups of persons. The buses will be sanitized and shall follow safe social distancing norms in seating,” it reads.

The MHA order further says that the states or UTs falling on the transit route will allow the passage of such persons to the receiving state or Union Territory.

“On arrival at their destination, such person(s) would be assessed by the local health authorities, and kept in home quarantine, unless the assessment requires keeping the persons in institutional quarantine. They would be kept under watch with periodic health checkups. For this such persons may be encouraged to use Aarogya Setu app through which their health status can be monitored,” reads the order.

The order has come as a relief for thousands of Kashmiris stranded in several states across India.

While J&K Government has brought back thousands, majority of the J&K residents are still stuck in various parts.

Each day, SOS calls from these states is made to the administration in Kashmir.