Household-level inspections in Kerala to curb quarantine violators

State to intensify checks as threat of community spread looms

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the police would conduct surprise inspections at the household level to check quarantine violations.

The government would raise a voluntary force to assist the police in carrying out random checks. The volunteers would sport badges and accompany the police on patrol in their respective neighbourhoods.

A meeting of MLAs and MPs, through videoconferencing, warned that the COVID-19 caseload could shoot up if citizens took the lockdown relaxations for granted.

The police and civilian patrols would ensure that the people and businesses adhered to physical-distancing measures.

Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy attended the videoconference.

(Meanwhile, State Police Chief Loknath Behera issued directions to district-level police officers to use bike patrols and shadow teams for surveillance and carry out surprise inspections to discourage violation of home quarantine. Those found skipping home quarantine will be shifted to government-run quarantine facilities. They will also have to face legal action. The decision was taken after ward-level monitoring committees, police patrol teams, and Janamaithri police reported an increase in the number of persons flouting home quarantine regulations and visiting public places. Family members of those under home quarantine were also found to be visiting other households.)

Mr. Vijayan said it was illegal to serve tea and juice. Using the same set of glasses to serve citizens was a cause for transmission. The curve of infections Kerala had struggled hard to curb could rise again if citizens behaved rashly.

Restricted gatherings

He said the number of guests at weddings and mourners at funerals far exceeded the allowed capacity. Moreover, people were entering the State by dodging authorities and thermal scans at points of entry.

The government would suspend the licence of drivers who admit passengers more than the permitted capacity. The government would prosecute those who entered the State without the authorisation of the Department of Non-Resident Keralite Affairs (NoRKA). They have to be in mandatory institutional quarantine for 28 days. The influx of expatriates required a higher level of vigilance.

The government could no more afford to underwrite the board and lodging of arrivals from within the country and abroad. They have to pay for the quarantine period irrespective of their income status.

Mandatory quarantine

Domestic air travel seemed poised to pick up. However, 14-day quarantine was mandatory for those arriving by flight from other regions except for business travellers on short trips.