Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The new restrictions for flying have thrown chilly water over the holiday plans of Keralites working in West Asia. The Covid check rule efficient from February 22 is especially stringent on travellers from West Asia, the UK and Europe as they should bear RT-PCR check earlier than flying and on arrival within the state.
Those working in West Asia additionally should pay prematurely for seven-day resort quarantine upon return. The passengers should pay from their pockets for each checks as nicely. “I was planning for a 30-day vacation. But the new rule has come as a jolt. As the travel hinges on the test results, there is always a tension on getting them on time,” mentioned Bobby John, who’s employed in Qatar. “I may be able to change the hotel booking dates. The charge is non-refundable if I cannot return within a specific period.”
The travellers should add a Covid destructive certificates on Air Suvidha portal to get permission for journey. Only the check carried out inside 72 hours previous to enterprise the journey will probably be allowed whereas the return journey requires results of the check finished 48 hours previous to the journey.
“The small number of facilities to conduct RT-PCR tests has become a handicap for the travellers like us,” mentioned Bobby. While the state has centered on antigen-based testing, the well being consultants have been questioning the sluggish tempo of creating capability for RT-PCR checks. There are solely 28 non-public labs and a handful of personal hospitals accepted for conducting RT-PCR checks.
Vinu Kumar who not too long ago returned to Qatar mentioned he was further cautious to not catch the an infection as it will have affected his possibilities of return. “I have not seen much vigil among people in Kerala. But people like me could not afford to take any chances,” he mentioned. Manu Krishnan who’s working in Kuwait mentioned the journey has turn out to be costly with the brand new guidelines. “We have to pay in advance for hotel quarantine in Dubai. The accommodation starts from three-star hotels. The cost of food will be additional,” he mentioned.
The individuals working in West Asia are frightened in regards to the extension of the principles as India continues to be within the purple zone indicating the excessive variety of Covid circumstances. The state leads the variety of energetic circumstances within the nation. As on Friday, the state has 59,814 energetic circumstances with a check positivity price of 6.67 per cent.
Arrangement in airportsThe well being division will arrange a number of kiosks to gather swab samples from passengers for conducting RT-PCR checks. “We have chalked out a plan after a discussion with airports and airline companies. We will set up 10 counters in Thiruvananthapuram airport. It will be sufficient to cater to 400-500 people a day,” mentioned an officer. As per conservative estimates, the airport receives round 800 passengers from West Asia alone.
However, there isn’t any readability on conducting molecular check as mandated by the rules. “We can conduct only RT-PCR tests. However, the chances of a person testing positive will be low as most of them come with a negative certificate. If the person tests positive on arrival, we can send the samples for molecular studies,” mentioned the officer. As per the rules, solely the passengers on transit should anticipate the outcomes earlier than taking the connecting flights.
The airports within the state have been conducting PCR check on returnees from the United Kingdom for the reason that finish of December following a world alert on the brand new pressure. So far, 86 returnees have examined optimistic together with the 2 reported on Thursday. Among the optimistic samples despatched for molecular checks, 10 passengers had been discovered to have contracted the brand new Covid pressure. The tips are relevant for passengers returning on ships additionally.
Tough occasionsOnly the check carried out inside 72 hours earlier than enterprise the journey will probably be allowed. The return journey requires results of the check finished 48 hours previous to journey.