Thread by @Anandans76

Major points raised by #Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan at the VC with PM Modi:

1. Since the challenges faced by the states are varied, states should be given the freedom to make necessary changes in the lockdown related guidelines #COVID19

THREAD

2. States should also get the freedom to operate public transport in compliance with the restrictions, after making necessaryassessment of the local situation

3. Regulated metro rail service should be permitted in cities outside red zones

#COVID19 #Kerala

4. State govt can assess the situation in each district and allow autorikshaws to operate with limited number of passengers

5. State govts should’ve the freedom to permit, based on local Covid-19 situation, trade and industrials units to function
#COVID19 #Kerala

6. NRIs being repatriated must undergo Covid-19 antibody test before boarding. Without this, the threat of the infection is manifold. Already, five of those brought to Kerala by the special flights are confirmed positive #COVID19 #Kerala

7. Once lockdown is lifted/further relaxed, there will be more people wanting to return. Repatriation guidelines should therefore have clarity

8. Inter-state travel should continue to be regulated and any relaxation should be incremental #COVID19 #Kerala

9. Domestic air travel may be resumed subject to guidelines(protocols) in the port of origin/destination. However, reasonable restrictions should be imposed on travel to&from containment zones. Those with #COVID19 symptoms should not be allowed. Medical screening must at airports

10. As for interstate road travel, passes must be obtained first from the district authorities of destination. This should be the basis for getting passes from the source district. States along the way should not insist on separate passes. Confusion reg this should be removed

11. Kerala has introduced registration of people arriving from other states. Passes are issued accordingly. Without this arrangement, entry points will face crowding, making social distancing impossible. Inbound travellers should comply with this system #COVID19 #Kerala

12. Special trains must be operated to ship Keralites stranded in other states. A train from Delhi, mainly for students stuck there, was also demanded. But the Railways has disregarded registration of travellers done by the state & gone ahead with online ticket booking

... The state has been effectively carrying out contact-tracing &quarantining. If the Railways goes ahead transporting people without considering the registration done by Kerala, it will make disease surveillance impossible & undo the state's effort to prevent community spread

... Non-stop trains must be operated to Kerala from Mumbai, Ahamedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad & Bangaluru, with tickets issued on the basis of passenger registration done by the state.

13. Strict regulations should be in place for rail, road, air travel #COVID19 #Kerala

14. States should be given adequate number of test kits. The process of qualifying tests developed within the country should be accelerated

15. Kerala has an efficient system of monitoring home-quarantined people. This is overseen by state depts & local bodies #COVID19 #Kerala

... This is a means to avoid putting people together in public facilities which puts them under pressure. Therefore, the Centre is requested to allow systematic home quarantine for even those brought from abroad

#COVID19 #Kerala

16. More funds at lower rates of interest and higher borrowing limit needed to meet urgent social responsibilities

17. Relief package for MSMEs and unorganised labour should be announced immediately. Industries must get assistance to retain labour #COVID19 #Kerala

18. Kerala has drawn up a massive plan to enhance agricultural production. Employment Guarantee Schemes may be modified to support this

19. The CM also requested the Centre to appreciate the spirit of federalism and address the livelihood issues of the people #COVID19 #Kerala