Stranded migrants, students, tourists in different states can return home amid lockdown

Guidelines state that those traveling would be screened and those found asymptomatic would be allowed to proceed

According to the new set of guidelines issued by the Centre, stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, and students will now be allowed to return to their homes.

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla said buses shall be used for transport of such groups of stranded people and these vehicles will be sanitised and safe social distancing norms in seating will be followed.

The travelers would be screened and those found asymptomatic would be allowed to proceed, according to the home ministry.  

The order from the Home Ministry says all states should designate nodal authorities and develop standard protocols for receiving and sending such stranded persons. “In case a group of stranded persons wish to move from one state to another, states may consult each other, mutually agree to movement by road,” the order says.

The Centre said that on arrival at their destinations, these people will be assessed by local health authorities and kept in quarantine. They would be kept under watch with periodic health check-ups, the order stated.

The government said that the states or Union Territories falling on transit route should allow passage of stranded people.