(Image source from: mathrubhumi.com)

Even before the resumption of the flight services that have been halted in the country due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Kerala has started their online registrations for all the NRIs of the state who want to return from abroad.

The Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan held video conferencing sessions with some Non-Resident Keralites yesterday regarding the steps that the government is taking to bring back some of the people who have appealed to return to the country.

The CM then announced that the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) has opened up the online registration process for the individuals who want to return home due to the rising crisis surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those stranded in other countries are going to be brought back to safety to India after the Centre resumes the flight services and gives this a green signal.

"Those returning should undergo screening at airports. All those returning should undergo mandatory home quarantine for 14 days. Arrangements of isolation wards will be provided for those unable to go home," CM Pinarayi Vijayan exclaimed.

The Kerala government has been working extensively to bring back the expatriats with a lot of elaborate arrangements. All of these individuals will have to follow a minimum of 14 days of self-quarantine after they land in India.

CM Vijayan has also written an appeal to PM Narendra Modi about arranging some flights to bring back the NRIs who are stranded abroad, especially around the Gulf nations.

The state government has also clearly mentioned that the online registration process is to get a ballpark figure for the isolation facility that needs to be created, if there is a need for one. The same is not going to impact any priorities on flight bookings.

Once every NRK fills out the registration form, the Kerala government is going to draw up the list and try and get as many people back to the country once the lockdown is removed and things get back to normal.

Kerala currently has around 120 active cases and had a total of 458 confirmed cases and 2 deaths.

By Somapika Dutta