April 30, 2020: Stranded migrant workers, tourists, students and pilgrims can now get back home, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a fresh guideline released on Wednesday. In an additional notice from MHA and India Health Ministry, people will need to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms at both departure and arrival before they enter the state border, and be quarantined in case of detecting coronavirus positive.
Earlier the Indian government was criticized for implementing a sudden lockdown and left the migrants in condition to do or die. The interstate movement program for these migrants will be conducted by the state/union territory governments. Anyone who wants to go back will have to be medically fit and undergo COVID-19 screening at both onboarding and arrival as well. They may ask to stay home or home quarantine for 14 days after arrival as well, confirmed the home ministry.
These migrants were stuck in other states since the Indian Government announced the countrywide lockdown on 24 March to stop the spread of COVID-19.
India Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a sudden lockdown with barely 4-hour notice period. This results in hundreds or thousands of migrants to flee back to their cities and homes. While thousands of labor-class migrants working in factories and mills around the cities stuck on roads with no food and habitation.
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A few states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam have started bringing their people back from Rajasthan, Delhi and other cities. Some labourers stuck in Himachal and other hill stations were also reached back to their homes as a part of a special arrangement by the state governments.
MOS Home G Kishen Reddy appealed to those waiting to transit to keep patience. “It will take two to three additional days to make all the arrangements. Buses and drivers need to be arranged. People should not lose patience,” the Union minister said.
