Kerala govt has dealt with COVID-19 in a systematic way, action will be taken against returnees who violate quarantine rules: Health Minister.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister KK Shailaja has said that there is a delay in providing passes to those returning from other states as the state is complying with the priority list regarding the return of Keralites. While stating that the government is giving high priority for the return of pregnant women and other patients, the minister added that the state will give special consideration for elder citizens and students. She also pointed out that the authorities are facing a huge challenge as a large number of people are returning without passes and necessary precautions.
According to the minister, there is a possibility of virus transmission in Kerala unless those returning from other states go into quarantine. The government will interfere in the issue in which several Malayali nurses have complained about their pathetic conditions in various hospitals such as the Hinduja hospital in Mumbai, she added. She also said that several people who have recently returned from the Gulf countries might test positive for COVID-19 in the near future.

COVID-19: Seven new positive cases in Kerala, four recover

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seven new COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state on Sunday. Among the new cases, three are from Wayanad, two from Thrissur and one each from Ernakulam and Malappuram. Test results of four coronavirus patients turned negative on Sunday-two in Kannur, and one each in Palakkad and Kasaragod. 
As of Sunday, 489 persons were cured of COVID-19 in Kerala. At present, there are 20 patients undergoing treatment. There are 26712 persons under observation at various districts in the state, including 362 at hospitals.135 persons were admitted to hospitals on Sunday. 

Student nun’s death in Thiruvalla: Kerala Women’s Commission seeks report from police.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Women’s Commission has sought a report from police over the death of a nun student in Thiruvalla on Thursday.  It was based on media reports that Commission member Dr Shahida Kamal sought the report from district police superintend.The 21-year-old novice was found dead in a well at a convent at Paliyekkara under mysterious circumstances on Thursday. Divya P John, daughter of John Philipose and Kochumol of Thadathemalayil house at Chunkappara near Mallappally, was a fifth-year novice undergoing training to become a nun at Baselian Convent of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church.Though the initial post-mortem report recorded that Divya died from drowning, Shahida Kamal said that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to clear the mystery surrounding the death of Divya. The police had on Thursday registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation.It came to the notice of convent inmates after they heard a splash sound near the well around noon. When they looked inside, they saw Divya drowning. Fire and Rescue Services was called in and she was lifted out of the well. Though she was rushed to Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, the doctors declared him brought dead, according to the police. A team headed by Tiruvalla DySp Umesh Kumar sealed Divya’s room in the convent and collected details about the chain of events from other inmates. However, after the preliminary investigation, the police suspect that she might have committed suicide or accidentally fell into the well while trying to pull out a bucket of water. 

Madras HC orders closure of liquor shops in TN; Allows online sales with door delivery.

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Friday ordered closure of all state-run liquor outlets in Tamil Nadu, a day after they reopened following easing of COVID-19 lockdown curbs, saying there was total violation of guidelines, but allowed door delivery through online mode. Noting that there were huge crowds before the shops and no social distancing was maintained, a bench of Justices Vineet Kothari and Pushpa Satyanarayana passed the order on a miscellaneous petition filed by advocate G Rajesh, besides a plaint from Kamal Haasan-led Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM). 

Arrack sale through home delivery: Two arrested in Kannur.

KANNUR: In separate raids conducted by the Excise department on Friday, two persons were arrested for possessing arrack. 150 litre ‘wash’ was seized from Nelliyattu Thrippangottoor within the limits of Koothuparambu circle . 45 litre wash was seized found from Anjarakandy, and 135 litre wash was seized from Muzhakkunnu Kannipoyil.During the attempts made by the police to seize 40 litre wash from Alakkodu Udayagiri, Arangam native Manoj Kumar ran away and escaped from the police.The police later arrested Nellippara native Raju (39) with two litre arrack from Thaliparambu Kayyettamala Kappana. 

Hundreds of Malayalis, vehicles remain stranded at Kerala borders; Collector says pass mandatory for entry.

PALAKKAD: Now it is a mayhem at different entry points along the border districts of the Kerala as the district administrations have strictly barred people without pass from crossing over to Kerala. 
Muthanga check post and Walayar check post areas were virtually infested with people with their vehicles and many didn’t have valid pass.The State government had made it clear that passes from the district they start from and the Kerala State pass would be mandatory for their smooth transit. Policemen and health workers deployed in the area are also finding it difficult to handle the situation as many don’t possess valid passes. Wayanad district collector Adeela Abdullah said that those returning from other states without registering on COVID-19 website will not be allowed into Kerala via Muthanga check post. The district administration made it clear that those without passes will be blocked at Mulahalla at the border and will be sent back to Karnataka after the inspection. Now, Minister Balan and district collector are trying to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, there are reports that hundreds of stranded people are waiting without proper food and water. 

In boarder areas including Thalappady check posts, the government had made extensive arrangement for bringing back Malayalis stranded in other states.

KASARGOD: As the pass issued by Karnataka-Kerala governments has been made compulsory for those returning to Kerala from other states, about 5000 Malayalis are stuck in Maharashtra. Even if they have Maharashtra pass, it won

Thousands of Malayalis are getting ready to travel to Kerala from places like Goa, Pune and Mumbai. Currently, people are allowed to come to Kerala in their private vehicles.
By now, as many as 1820 persons have procured passes and entered the State. 10,415 persons have applied for the pass.

Meanwhile, District Collector Dr D Sajith Babu has informed that no one will be allowed to enter Kasargod without the Kerala-Karnataka pass.

In boarder areas including Thalappady check posts, the government had made extensive arrangement for bringing back Malayalis stranded in other states.

No uncertainty, mandatory seven-day quarantine for expats in govt centres, says chief secretary.


THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There is no uncertainty in connection with the quarantine of expatriates, said Chief Secretary Tom Jose. The state government is moving ahead with the guidelines issued by the union home ministry, he said. He said non-resident Keralites (NoRKs) coming from abroad will undergo a medical test and only after that they will be permitted to enter the flight, the chief secretary said.
The chief secretary said that if those returning show no symptoms of the disease in seven days, they will be in home quarantine for the remaining seven days. This has been made clear after holding talks with the home ministry, he said. Pregnant women returning will be in home quarantine, Tom Jose said.

Welcome home, NoRKs first team to reach Kochi and Karipur today.

KOCHI: Vande Bharat Mission bringing back non-resident Keralites (NoRKs) stranded in foreign countries including Gulf will begin today. Air India Express from Abu Dhabi will land at 9.40 pm marking the beginning of the historic mission. The flight from Dubai to Kozhikode will reach at 10.30 pm tonight. Eight flights including these will be reaching various cities of the country today.

Air India Express from Abu Dhabi to Kochi will leave at 4.15 pm (UAE time) with 177 Indians. They will reach Nedumbassery at 9.40 pm. The second flight from Dubai to Kozhikode will depart at 5 pm. The flight with 175 expatriates will reach Karipur Airport at 10.30 pm. Distribution of tickets for both flights have been completed.

6500 pregnant women have registered to return from UAE alone. Athira, a pregnant woman who approached the Supreme Court seeking steps to reach the state, is one among in the first team. Among those coming from UAE in the first phase include Indians who have lost their jobs, pregnant women and their relatives, aged people etc.

Double whammy: Repatriation of Malayali expats en masse may also take a toll on Kerala economy.

SHARJAH: Covid times may have literally increased the heartbeats of expats who have taken house and vehicle loans from banks , relying on their jobs abroad. 
As the Coronavirus still prevails in different parts of the world, lakhs of Malayalis aborad are also either facing the risk of losing job or steep salary cuts.
The undeniable fact is that the pandemic has dealt a serious blow to the economy of Arabian countries. 
 Already, lakhs of expats have been laid off in many foreign companies. Many countries have given permission to private companies to effect a 40 per cent salary cut, as well. 
Meanwhile Saudi Human Resources ministry has decided to cut down salaries for six months but this may extend to longer period. 
Other countries are also passing through similar situations.As a result, Malayalis will be forced to repatriate en masse, creating socio-economic instability in Kerala. 

Here we come…Food and water for expats from India, employees for first schedule complete COVID test.

KOCHI: Air India Express will operate thirteen services for expatriates coming to India. Air India said 2000 employees including 60 pilots are partaking in the mission. Food and water for the passengers will be taken from India.Employees for the first schedule have completed the COVID-19 test. CIAL authorities said the flight from Doha has been postponed to Saturday. 

No fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Kerala on Wednesday, seven recoveries.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The COVID-19 'curve' seems to stay flat in Kerala as the state reported no fresh positive cases on Wednesday. 
As of Wednesday, there are 30 patients at hospitals treated for COVID-19. 
At present, there are 14,670 persons under observation in the state, including 268 at various hospitals. Samples of 34,599 persons were sent for testing.
Keralites stranded abroad will start returning to the state from tomorrow on flights and ships.As per official information, two flights will fly to Kerala on Thursday carrying expats-Abudhabi to Kochi and Saudi Arabia to Kozhikode. 
The state will take will be careful in managing the returning Malayalis. 

Kerala is different from other states, govt to request centre to allow expats’ to go under isolation in homes, says E P Jayarajan.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister E P Jayarajan said they will request centre to allow expatriates to go under quarantine in their homes itself. The centre had released a general guidance. 
The situation in each state is different, he said.There is nothing wrong in placing those who have no symptoms in home quarantine. 

Centre not against expats with no symptoms going home quarantine.

NEW DELHI: Union Minister V Muraleedharan said the centre is not against the expatriates with no symptoms of COVID-19 going home quarantine. 
The government had decided to send the Indians coming from abroad to 14 days quarantine in their homes or halls. The government had decided to send the Indians coming from abroad to 14 days quarantine in their homes or halls. Almost 15,000 rooms in five districts were arranged for it. Not filing an affidavit in the high court is mysterious, he said. 

Govt has right to bring an ordinance, no stay on salary ordinance, sigh of relief for govt.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala High Court refused to impose a stay on the new ordinance of the Kerala government which allows it to deduct six days salary of all state government employees for the next five months to tide over the Covid-19 crisis, as it was cash stressed. 

Finance Minister Thomas Isaac welcomed the court’s decision and said those who went to the court failed to see the rationale behind our decision and it was meant to create fissures in the society. 
Five different state government employees’ organisations had approached the court seeking a stay on the ordinance. 
It was on April 30 that Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan signed the new ordinance, ''Disaster and Public Emergency Special Provisions Act''.

SSLC and higher secondary exams after lockdown, decision likely tomorrow.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The education department is thinking to conduct the SSLC and higher secondary exams in a week’s interval after the lockdown. 

No more odd-even scheme for vehicles in the state; here are the other relaxations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that the odd-even scheme for vehicles has been called off in the state.The announcement came after reports suggested that there were some confusions between the government and police regarding the scheme.
The police had been stopping vehicles in various parts of the state citing the odd-even scheme. 
The chief minister also added that vehicles will be allowed on road from 7 am to 7 pm. 
However, these relaxations are not applicable to the containment zones in the state. 
Only essential services have been granted permission in the containment zones, he added. 

Developed antibody against Coronavirus, "terrific breakthrough": Israel

JERUSALEM: Israeli Defence Minister Naftali Bennett has said that scientists at the country's main biological research institute have made a "significant breakthrough" in developing an antibody to the novel coronavirus, as the researchers wrapped up the development phase and moved to patent and mass produce the potential treatment. 
Bennett visited the labs of the Israel's Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), supervised by the Prime Minister's Office and mandated to develop a vaccine for coronavirus, in Ness Ziona on Monday and was shown the "antibody that attacks the virus in a monoclonal way and can neutralize it within the bodies of those ill", a statement from his office said. 

Life returning to normal in Green zones, restrictions eased

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the nationwide lockdown has entered its third phase on Monday, life in the Green zones in Kerala is slowly returning to normal with authorities announcing considerable relaxations. Several shops selling essential goods within the green zones as well as in other areas outside the containment zones have started functioning on Monday.
Apart from public transport, beverage outlets, barbershops and multi-storeyed buildings, most other shops and markets have started functioning in these regions. The shops will remain open till 7.30 pm in the evening. Though the odd-even scheme has been implemented for vehicles, the increasing number of vehicles on the road, especially in villages and small towns, is raising concern.Meanwhile, the authorities have stepped up vigil at all interstate and inter-district borders. People are allowed to move past the borders only after undergoing strict checking. Authorities are also taking action against those who were not using face masks in public.Several shops including mobile showrooms have been allowed to function three days a week. Though certain wards in Neyyatinkara municipality, Balaramapuram and Parassala panchayats have been designated as containment zones, restrictions have been eased in other parts of Thiruvananthapuram district such as Thiruvananthapuram city and other rural areas. The Chala market, which reopened on Monday, is witnessing good crowd since morning.In Kollam district, Kulathipuzha, Chathannur and Oachira regions are experiencing restrictions. On the other hand, life in Alappuzha district, a green zone, has almost returned to normal.Though the borders of the Kottayam district have been closed to contain the spread of Covid-19, those markets and shops outside the containment zones have been permitted to function from Monday onwards. On the other hand, Palakkad and Idukki districts are on high alert as several Keralites stranded in neighbouring Tamil Nadu have started returning back to the state.Ernakulam and Thrissur, both green zones, have also started witnessing huge crowds after several markets and shops started functioning on Monday. However, the authorities have not eased the restrictions in the Malabar region.

Four trains for migrant workers from Kerala cancelled

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three trains to leave from Kerala to Bihar with migrants have been cancelled. The trains fixed to leave from Kannur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Alappuzha were cancelled. Authorities said the train from Alappuzha will depart before May 8. The reason hinted is that the Bihar government has not given their approval.

Railway has subsidised 85 per cent fare for migrant workers: BJP

NEW DELHI: The BJP said on Monday the railways has subsidised 85 per cent of ticket fare for special trains being run to transport migrant workers and the state government has to pay the remaining 15 per cent, soon after the Congress attacked the central government over the issue.
The state government concerned can also pay for the tickets, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.
He said the Madhya Pradesh government is doing so and asked Rahul Gandhi to tell the Congress-ruled states to follow suit.
He was responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's attack on the railways for charging poor migrant labourers ticket fare, even as it donated over Rs 151 crore to the PM-CARES Fund.
"Rahul Gandhi ji, I have attached guidelines of MHA which clearly states that ''No tickets to be sold at any station''. Railways has subsidised 85% & state govt to pay 15%. The state govt can pay for the tickets (Madhya Pradesh''s BJP govt is paying). Ask Cong state govts to follow suit," Patra tweeted.

The BJP leader further clarified that for each 'Shramik Express', special trains being run for migrants, about 1,200 tickets to the destination are handed by the railways to the state government concerned.
State governments are supposed to clear the ticket price and hand over the tickets to workers, he said.
Seeking to corner the central government, the Congress on Monday said its state units will bear the cost of rail travel of needy migrant workers and labourers stranded at their workplaces due to the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi in a statement announced the party's decision and said this would be the Congress'' humble contribution in standing shoulder to shoulder with these workers.

In a tweet, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy claimed that migrant workers returning home will not have to pay money as the rail travel will be free from now onwards.

Swamy, in a tweet, said, "Talked to Piyush Goel office. Govt will pay 85% and State Govt 15%. Migrant labour will go free. Ministry will clarify with an official statement."

CM writes to Prime Minister, requests to allot trains to bring back Keralites from other states

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting the latter to allot special trains to bring back Keralites from other parts of the country.
While several trains are being operated to ferry back those migrant labourers stranded in the state, Pinarayi Vijayan stated that similar non-stop trains must be arranged to bring back the Keralites stranded in other states.

Malayalees started arriving from neighbouring states, permission for 30,000 people, strict checking in check posts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After registering in NORKA, Keralites have started coming from neighbouring states but were permitted to leave after strict checking in check posts. The Malayalees from other states have permission to reach Kerala via Inchivila in the capital city, Aryankavu in Kollam, Kumili in Idukki, Walayar in Palakkad, Muthanga in Wayanad and Manjeswaram in Kasargod check posts.
The vehicle arranged by their family members delayed to reach the spot as they had to get the permission of the district collector. Though the district administration had earlier informed to arrange vehicles for them to return homes, there were no such arrangements at Inchivila. Only an ambulance was ready to take those coming with fever or symptoms of COVID-19 to the hospital.Many from various places in Tamil Nadu are reaching Kaliyakkavilai check post to reach state. Many vehicles crossed the state this morning through the Palakkad Walayar check post. The district administration said more than 30 vehicles crossed in an hour after checking. The number of vehicles coming from Tamil Nadu to Walayar to Kerala has increased.

Nearly 150 people including 60 disabled students who went for training at Speech and Hearing Institute in Mysuru in Karnataka and their parents stranded there returned via Muthanga check post in Wayanad. They were brought in a special vehicle from Muthanga check post to COVID examination centre in Kalloor and were subjected to a strict examination. They were able to return following the intervention of former chief minister Oommen Chandy.Apart from that, Malayalees are returning alone and together via check posts in Kumili, Idukki, Aryankavu in Kollam and Manjeswaram in Kasargod. They are expected to return homes by afternoon. In addition to health department, officials of revenue, excise and motor vehicle department are monitoring the examination. They are examined by a team led by district collectors and SPs.Permission was given to 30,000 people from other states to return. Those who have not obtained passes should inform COVID War Room, said Chief Secretary Tom Jose. 12,600 will be allowed to return. People from Maharashtra do not need NOC. The chief secretary said people travelling inter-district should either get the permission of the collector or SP. Keralites stranded in other states due to lockdown are brought back from today. Those registered in NORKA are given passes.

Two Keralites die of COVID-19 in Gulf

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two Keralites died of COVID-19 in UAE and Abu Dhabi. They have been identified as Kamaludeen Kulathuvattil of Tanur in Tirur and Panayara Jacob of Pallippad in Alappuzha.
Kamaludeen died while undergoing treatment at Al Baraha Hospital in Dubai. His relatives had informed that the body will not be brought to the state. He leaves behind his wife Saleena and children Salwa Muhasina (Oman), Sainudeen, Sainul Aabideen and Fathima Sahra. Medammal Muhammed Zaheer (Oman) is his son-in-law.With this, reports say a total of 45 Keralites have died of COVID-19 in the Gulf. It is alleged that the centre is not accepting the state’s norms for repatriating the expatriates despite the terrible situation. The centre is putting forward strict conditions. Now it is almost certain that not all registered in NORKA will be able to return.

Malayalees started arriving from neighbouring states, permission for 30,000 people, strict checking in check posts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After registering in NORKA, Keralites have started coming from neighbouring states but were permitted to leave after strict checking in check posts. The Malayalees from other states have permission to reach Kerala via Inchivila in the capital city, Aryankavu in Kollam, Kumili in Idukki, Walayar in Palakkad, Muthanga in Wayanad and Manjeswaram in Kasargod check posts.
After strict medical examination and thermal screening, they are sent home with an affidavit stating that they should be in 14 days compulsory quarantine. Quarantine centres have been arranged near check post to admit those having fever or other symptoms. Two natives of Thrissur were the ones who reached first at Inchivila near Amaravila in the capital city at 6.30 am.However, they were not able to leave from there after completing the medical examination. Though the documents of the two who came from Nagercoil and Marthandam with the digital pass of NORKA registration were examined, COVID screening and delay of vehicle for the two to return made them stand in front of the shops for hours. They had to leave for Thrissur which has been declared as green zone.

The vehicle arranged by their family members delayed to reach the spot as they had to get the permission of the district collector. Though the district administration had earlier informed to arrange vehicles for them to return homes, there were no such arrangements at Inchivila. Only an ambulance was ready to take those coming with fever or symptoms of COVID-19 to the hospital.Many from various places in Tamil Nadu are reaching Kaliyakkavilai check post to reach state. Many vehicles crossed the state this morning through the Palakkad Walayar check post. The district administration said more than 30 vehicles crossed in an hour after checking. The number of vehicles coming from Tamil Nadu to Walayar to Kerala has increased.

Setback for Kerala, centre with strict instructions in bringing back expats

NEW DELHI: The centre has come forward with strict directives on repatriation of expatriates. The centre will not accept the rules of the state in bringing them back. They will return under strict conditions. In the list of returnees, only 200,000 people are in centre’s list. The centre has decided to bring back those who want to return immediately and those whose visas have expired.

Congress, BJP slam Pinarayi for ignoring migrant Keralites

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Both the Congress and the BJP on Sunday slammed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for failing to do anything to bring back Keralites who are stuck in various parts of the country, even as migrant labourers in the state have started to leave for their home states.
"While many migrant labourers from Bihar, Odisha and other states, who were stuck in Kerala after the lockdown came into force, have started making their way back in trains, many Keralites who for various reasons got stuck in other parts of the country, are still waiting to return. So is the case with Keralites stuck in the Middle East countries? It appears that the state government's responsibility is over after opening a website for these people to register to return. What happens today is only a blame game between the Centre and the State," said senior Congress legislator K C Joseph, a former Minister for Diaspora Affairs in the Oommen Chandy government.

It was early this week that the state government opened a website and by now 3.98 lakh Keralites in 201 countries, and 1.38 lakh Keralites within the country have registered from various states, wanting to return.
State BJP president K Surendran told the media, here on Sunday that it's so surprising to see that the government has done nothing to get back its people stuck in various parts of the country and abroad.
"From May 1, the Centre has taken steps to operate special trains from various states in the country to get back its people, but Kerala appears to have done nothing in this regard. The Kerala Chief Secretary should have coordinated with his counterparts to get going, but nothing has happened so far. All that happens here is rhetoric. We wish the Pinarayi government will act quickly," said Surendran.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government has now started to put its act together and has asked those stuck outside the state to apply for pass so that they can enter the state through the borders, which it shares with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The state police, health and revenue departments have strengthened their staff in these borders.
All those arriving at the borders will be checked by the health department officials and those who are free from any symptoms will be asked to remain in isolation for 14 days at their homes, while those with symptoms would be sent to special centres.

Four trains to depart with migrants from three stations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The railways will operate four more trains from Kerala for migrants stranded here. The trains will depart from Thrissur, Kannur and Ernakulam. Two trains will leave from Ernakulam. Almost 7000 migrants have returned home from the state.
The trains will leave from Thrissur and Kannur at 5 pm today. The migrants will be subjected to health screening at their camps and only those who have no symptoms will be sent. There will be a special registration for it.Train for natives of Bihar will leave from Ernakulam North and South Stations. Five trains departed from the state yesterday with migrants.

A people’s representative should be like this! Tharoor intervened at apt time, thermal optical imaging camera procured for state

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first Thermal and Optical Imaging camera with Artificial Intelligence-powered face detection technology for fever screening has been procured for the state capital by Shashi Tharoor MP.
Following a discussion, his team had with district collector K Gopalakrishnan, Congress leader Tharoor said it was brought to his notice that a thermal imaging camera with face detection technology was urgently needed in the district to scan from a safe distance and isolate those potentially having fever.Using his MPLADS fund, Tharoor, who represents, Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, procured the equipment.The thermal camera was procured from Amsterdam due to its unavailability in Asia and brought to India using multiple flight connections covering Cologne, Paris, Leipzig, Brussels, Bahrain and Dubai before finally reaching Bengaluru, from where it was shipped to Kerala, Tharoor said in a Facebook Post."The installation will be done at our airport, railway station, MCH. Since all MPLADS funds have been exhausted, we are approaching other corporate groups to partner with us and the district administration to procure more of this highly sophisticated technological device prior to the huge influx of expatriates from the Middle East and other areas overseas," Tharoor said.

Malayali girl tests positive for COVID-19 in Chennai

CHENNAI: A girl from Kerala has been confirmed of COVID-19. The girl, a native of Palakkad and a permanent resident of Chennai, has been confirmed of the virus. The girl, daughter of a tea shop employee, residing in Teynampet, one of the zones having the highest number of patients in the city, tested positive for the virus.
The 19-year-old-girl has been shifted to Kilpauk Medical College. Four members of her family including her aged grandmother has been placed under isolation. Earlier, the area was closed to a containment zone after being diagnosed with the disease. Meanwhile, the number of people infected with the disease from the Koyambedu market, the largest COVID origin in Chennai, has reached 119.

Hired copter for security purposes and prevention of disaster, says Pinarayi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The chief minister came to the fore responding to the allegations against the government’s extravaganza. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the helicopter is taken for rent for security purposes and disaster prevention.
Most of the states in the country have helicopters or an aircraft. The center has also purchased planes when they have Air Force planes for security. The chief minister said that this may be necessary. The chief minister said this during his weekly programme. He also justified bringing lawyers from outside. It is the responsibility of the government to properly defend a case when it comes in the high court or Supreme Court. Important lawyers have to be appointed for it. The UDF Government have taken such steps, the chief minister said.The chief minister explained that the salary or allowances paid to a senior officer are not paid to all his advisors. The chief minister also criticized the teachers for burning government's order for a pay cut. The chief minister said the students of the school had replied to the act of their teacher who spearheaded such an action.

Mass resignation in DYFI over differences of opinion with Prathibha

ALAPPUZHA: There has been a mass resignation in Kayamkulam DYFI. A dispute between Kayamkulam MLA U Prathibha and leaders is the reason behind the resignation. 19 of the 21 in DYFI block committee have resigned.

Those resigned said the party leadership has not intervened in the long-running dispute between the DYFI and the police. Among the resigned include DYFI Kayamkulam regional secretary and the president. The party is not with us on the issue prevailing with Prathibha. The party has not taken seriously the directive to take action against the police for constantly haunting DYFI leaders. The main allegation of those resigned is one among these.A letter regarding it has been handed over to area and district committee leadership. Meantime, DYFI district leadership informed that a section of the activists are staining the image of the organisation and they are not interested in reacting on it now.

Malayali dies of COVID-19 in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI: One more Keralite died of COVID-19 in Abu Dhabi. He has been identified as Roshan Kutty hailing from Nellikkala in Pathanamthitta.

Four Keralites have died abroad today after contracting the disease. The dead include a priest and an eight-year-old boy. M John, a priest and a native of Kottarakkara and Geevarghese M Panicker from Kundara in Kollam died in Philadelphia. Adwaith from Pala died in New York. They will be buried in US itself.

CRPF headquarters in Delhi sealed after staff found COVID-19 positive

NEW DELHI: The headquarters of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) here has been sealed after a personal staff of a senior officer tested positive for novel coronavirus, officials said on Sunday.

A personal secretary of a Special Director General (SDG) rank officer working in the headquarters has tested positive for the virus and hence the building has been sealed by the force, they said.Officials working in the building will not be allowed inside the premises from Sunday, they said.The force has informed the district surveillance officer for "initiating required protocols" as per medical guidelines, for time-bound proper sealing of the building located in the CGO complex on Lodhi Road.They said a contact tracing exercise has begun of all the personnel who came in contact with the staffer at the headquarter building.
The CRPF is the country’s largest paramilitary force.

Vijay Devarakonda challenges Dulqar Salmaan for ‘B ‘The Real Man’ challenge

Celebrities on the whole took over the ‘B ‘The Real Man’ challenge during the lockdown period. Dulqar Salmaan has now taken up the challenge started by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, director of Telugu film Ajun Reddy. Actor Vijay Devarakonda has now challenged Dulqar. Malayalees fondly call Dulqar ‘Kunjikka. Vijay has now addressed him as Kunjikka.
Vjay finished the challenge sharing the video of the actor engaged in various tasks. In the video, we can see the actor spending time with his family and even making mango ice cream for them.‘Some parts of my lockdown days’, the actor captioned the video. He also expressed his gratitude to Anand Devarakonda who helped in shooting the video. He shared the video accepting the challenge of director Korattala Siva. ‘Now inviting Kunjikka for it, the actor wrote tagging Dulqar.This challenge is to inspire men to help women in household activities. Many including director S S Rajamouli had participated in the challenge. However, even before the challenge started, DQ had shared the pictures of him helping his family in household activities. This had gone viral in the social media. The pictures were that of him helping his mother in cutting vegetables etc.

US announces relaxations for H-1B visa holders, Green Card applicants

WASHINGTON: The US government has given a grace period of 60 days to H-1B visa holders and Green Card applicants, who have been served notices for submission of various documents, in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday said the 60-day grace period for responding to its requests will include requests for evidence; continuations to request evidence (N-14); notices of intent to deny; notices of intent to revoke; notices of intent to rescind and notices of intent to terminate regional investment centers; and filing date requirements for Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion."USCIS will consider a response to the above requests and notices received within 60 calendar days after the response due date set in the request or notice before taking action," it said.According to the statement, the USCIS will consider a Form I-290B received up to 60 calendar days from the date of the decision before it takes any action."USCIS is adopting several measures to protect our workforce and community and to minimise the immigration consequences for those seeking immigration benefits during this time," it said.
The relaxations come in view of the coronavirus outbreak, which first surfaced in China''s Wuhan city in December last. So far, the virus has claimed over 65,000 lives in the US and over 235,000 lives globally.

Centre’s is not financial management but financial black magic, Thomas Isaac blames Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has criticised the Central government, saying that what is happening now is Centre government’s financial black magic and not financial management.

In the wake of the lockdowns, the financial condition of the State has become perilous. There have been steep fall in the GST income of March-April months. The condition of May will be worse than this, according to him.

“The Centre, which has extended the lockdown for the third time, is no thinking what is happening in between this.

It should ensure that states do not crumble in the lockdown. Though there is no special package during the crisis, the Centre should at least pay on time the funds announced for the state.

The Centre should come forward to clear GST arrears due to the State. We have requested various political parties to raise this financial issues before the Centre.

We will once again put forward this demand to the Centre after roping in financial experts to convince Centre about seriousness of the matter. In the first phase of the financial year, Kerala didn’t get at least 1/4th of the expected income.

Government gives moratorium to govt employees who find it difficult to face salary challenge

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has given moratorium to government employees over EMIs for loans they have taken from government or Provident Fund.

This arrangement is to ease the difficulty employees may face when their six days’ salaries are put aside.

The payment of suspended EMIs will have to be paid in 10 equal instalments from September to June.

The employees who need this concession should give an application for it to Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO).

There is also an order from Finance department to help employees who find it difficult to put aside six days’ salaries every month till the fifth month. According to this, PF contribution can be re-fixed at 6 pc of the basic salary.

Meanwhile, the government will start the distribution of salaries of government employees, teachers and health workers on April 4.

The government has also made changes in the salary distribution software to exempt high court judges from the salary challenge.


Number of new Coronavirus cases in China drops to 1: Report

BEIJING: China, where the deadly coronavirus first emerged in December last, reported just one COVID-19 case, the National Health Commission (NHC) said on Saturday.
The death toll remained at 4,633 with no new fatality.As of Friday, the total confirmed cases on the mainland were 82,875. As many as 77,685 patients have been recovered, the NHC said.One new imported coronavirus case was reported on Friday with no new local infection, it said.China has reported a total of 1,671 imported COVID-19 cases, including seven in critical condition.
The Hubei province and its capital Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, have not reported any coronavirus case for 28 consecutive days since April 4, local health commission said on Saturday.Hubei also lowered its COVID-19 emergency response from the highest level to the second-highest on Saturday. The lowering of the emergency level shows a major breakthrough in Hubei''s prevention and control against the coronavirus, Hubei Vice-Governor Yang Yunyan told media.Meanwhile, 20 new asymptomatic cases were reported on Friday, taking the total number of such patients to 989.Asymptomatic cases refer to people who are tested COVID-19 positive but develop no symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat. However, they pose a risk of spreading the disease to others.

More than five lakh stranded people comprising NRIs, Malayalis stranded in other states register with NORKA and longs to return homes

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The number of expats and Malayis stranded in other states who have registered with NORKA to facilitate their return home town has crossed five lakh.
3,79,672 Malayali diaspora from 203 countries and 12, 0887 Malayalis now in other states are waiting for a chance to return home after registering with NORKA.
Among the NRIs, the highest number is from Malappuram. Till now, 63,839 have registered from here. From Kannur,
15279 have registered; Malappuram and Palakkad are very close behind Kannur.
The highest number of expats registered are from UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Special train with migrant workers leaves for Jharkhand from Kerala

A train carrying around 1,200 stranded migrant workers from Kerala left from the state capital to Hatia in Jharkhand on Saturday. The train left the central station here at around 2 PM

Thiruvananthapuram District Collector K Gopalakrishnan earlier said those with any symptoms of the virus would not be allowed to travel. This is the second train which has left from the state with the workers.
Around 1,100 migrant workers from Aluva in Kochi left for Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Friday night. Earlier, the state government had said that at least 5 trains would be leaving for various states from Kerala on Saturday with the workers.

Further relaxations for Lockdown III in Kerala may be announced today. Will liquor shops reopen on Monday?

A final decision on this will be taken at the high-level committee meeting to be convened by the chief minister on Saturday evening.The State’s stand has been to continue the lockdown in a partial manner till May 15. But as per the Centre’s order, the nationwide lockdown will have to continue till May 17.
Kerala will take a decision on lockdown without changing the zones declared by the Centre and by obeying the general guidelines issued by the Centre.

Meanwhile, Minister T P Ramakrishnan said a decision on reopening liquor shops will be taken after a meeting of officers.
“Arrangements will be made so that buyers follow strict guidelines. No decision has been taken to supply liquor online or reopening bars,” said the minister.

According to the Central government, the final decision on re-opening liquor shops should be taken by respective district administrations. They will have to take a decision based on the existing circumstances.
There are hints that since liquor outlets are the main source of government’s revenue, a decision on reopening them will be taken by Monday.

Kerala reports two fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, eight persons recover

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two fresh cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the state on Saturday, CM Pinarayi Vijayan told the media here. Of the two new cases, one is in Wayanad and the other in Kannur. This is the first COVID-19 positive case in Wayanad in over a month. Eight patients recovered from the disease on Saturday.
At present there 21,894 persons under observation in the state including 410 at hospitals.There are 80 hotspots in the state. The highest number of hotspots are in Kannur-23. There are 11 hotspots each on Kottayam and Idukki. Kannur also hosts the highest number of COVID-19 patients-38.

Liquor Shops May Open From 4th May, Says Bevco

Thiruvananthapuram: Here is good news for 5 lakh Keralalites, who enjoy their daily dose of alcohol. An order from the top boss of the state-owned Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Bevco) to its employees appears to indicate that liquor vends in the state may open from May 4.

Bevco MD, Sparjan Kumar in his letter to its employees has said that if there are relaxations in the lockdown from May 4, all the shops can open, but all norms should be adhered to strictly.

It says before the shops open, the shop and its premises should be cleaned and disinfected. Hand sanitizers should be there, besides the accepted norm of social distancing should be maintained.

How Kerala is making arrangements to receive expats... Secretary-level panel formed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government has appointed a secretary-level committee to coordinate arrangements for receiving expats who would be returning homes as and when the Centre gives the green signal.

As per the initial stats, more expats will be heading to Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thrissur. The State government has requested the Civil Aviation and External Affairs to send information about passengers in Kerala-bound flights before the flight leaves for Kerala.

Arrangements made

1) Doctors and paramedical staff will be appointed in airports for examining the expats soon after arrival
2) Police will be deputed to take home expats showing no Covid symptoms.
3) Service of private doctors will also be used for medically examining expats
4) Health workers at specific intervals will visit expats who are under observation or quarantine in their homes.
5) Those under observation should keep health workers posted about their condition via phone or social media. If this is not possible, health workers will visit their homes to collect details.
6) Control rooms comprising representatives of various government departments and the Airport Authority of India
7) Vehicles will be organised by the district collector, district police chief and motor vehicle department.
8) Boarding and hospital facilities will be arranged near the airport.
9) If the Centre decides to bring NRIs to Kerala by ship, the above precautionary measures will also be taken at ports.

Another flood could hit Kerala amid COVID-19 fight, preparations should be made: Minister issues warning

KOLLAM: Minister for Local Self Government, AC Moideen, has asked the local self-government institutions to prepare in case Kerala is not completely free of COVID-19 and another flood hits the state.
The minister has asked the institution to take steps to ensure the natural flow of water in earlier flood-hit areas. In this situation, measures should be taken smoothly without any hindrances. The illegal constructions that caused floods before should be identified and removed, the minister said.'The local self-government institutions should ensure that there are no blocks for the natural flow of rivers. Wastes should be removed from drains, ponds, and sewers. Migrant workers who are willing to serve can be included in these works and the assistance of the labour department can be sought for this", minister Moideen said.

Jasna is alive? Police official gives hints…father awaits her return

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of speculations that Jasna, who had gone missing two years ago has been traced, her father and Pathanamthita native James Joseph is waiting for her return.

This was how he responded to the reports that Jasna was found somewhere outside Kerala.

“I have been hoping and expecting my daughter’s return. Other than what I hear from news, I have no information about her. Investigating officers are also not disclosing any details. I have nothing more to talk now,” he said.

Jasna, Kanjirappally St Dominique college second year Graduate student, went missing on March 22, 2018.

Though the missing case was probed for months by Pathanamthitta district police chief-led special team, it was later handed over to the Crime Brach as the team could not get any lead.

The new speculation arose that Jasna is alive in some state after Crime Branch ADGP Tomin Thachankary included the case in the priority list.

It was one police officer who said on condition of anonymity that Jasna is in some centre outside Kerala.

According to reports, the Crime Branch is trying to bring back Jasna and unravel the mystery behind her disappearance.

Kollam beautician’s murder: Suchithra was murdered as she was not willing for abortion?

KOLLAM: Police have reportedly got some decisive information regarding the murder of Kollam native and beautician Suchithra
Suchithra’s lover Prashanth (32) has confessed to the police that he had committed the crime.

Suchithra was Prashanth’s wife’s family friend. There were financial dealings between Suchithra and Prashanth. Both got befriended through the Facebook. Eventually their friendship grew into love.

Suchithra was pregnant at the time of murder. A keyboard artiste, Prashanth had been working in certain private institutions in Palakkad as a music tutor.

Prashanth owed Rs 2.5 lakh to Suchithra. Besides this, she was also not ready for abortion. The initial assessment of the police is that the above two factors would have led to the crime.

Railways to allot special trains to transport migrant workers

NEW DELHI: Latest report claims that the Indian Railways is considering to allot special trains for the transportation of migrant workers. It is learnt that around 400 trains would operate every day to transport people who are stranded in various parts of the country.

The Railway Ministry had prepared guidelines to transport migrant workers through Non-AC, superfast trains. Considering the social distancing norms, only a maximum of 1000 people will be allowed to board each train.
Earlier, the MHA had issued fresh directives allowing states to transport stranded students, migrant labourers, tourists and pilgrims to their home states or destination using buses. However, several states including Kerala, Bihar, Punjab and Telangana demanded the centre to arrange special trains as long journeys by bus can be tiresome and can even lead to the spread of the virus.

Kottayam, Kannur among 130 red zones designated by centre

NEW DELHI: The Centre has finalised the criteria for demarcation of different zones after May 3. While 130 districts in the country have been classified as red zone, 284 districts were designated as orange zone and 319 districts as green zone. Kottayam and Kannur districts were designated as Red zone in Kerala.
While Wayanad and Ernakulam have been designated as green zone, all the other 10 districts in the state will come under orange zone.All four major metropolitans- Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai- have been classified as red zones. The other major cities that come under the red zone are Bengaluru, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Indore, Bhopal, Patna, Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune and Nagpur.Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan has written to Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories delineating the above classification. According to the health secretary, the classification is multifactorial and takes into consideration the incidence of cases, doubling rate, the extent of testing, and surveillance feedback to classify the districts. A district will be considered green zone if there are no confirmed cases so far or there is no reported case in the last 21 days in the district.

COVID-19 cases are getting reported at unexpected centers in Kerala: CM Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: COVID-19 cases are getting reported at unexpected centers, CM Vijayan told the media here. He said some of the cases came through goods vehicles from outside the state.
There is a tendency in the state to discard the restrictions and gather around. The problem with fish auction in Thiruvananthapuram is a matter of gathering. So the fisheries department came up with another system. However, auctions were done in the Vizhinjam coast by gathering around. Some markets witnessed massive crowds.Migrant workers gathered in Malappuram. The same is happening in other places. This will make the situation worse. Even a small lapse in alertness can make us develop the disease. The public should follow the guidelines to combat the disease, the CM said.

Kerala reports two COVID-19 cases on Thursday; 14 persons test negative

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said that two more persons have tested positive for novel coronavirus in the state. While one infected person is from Malappuram, the other is from Kasargod.
Out of the two, one had recently returned from Maharashtra and the other had contracted the disease through contact. The CM also announced that 14 infected persons have tested negative for the virus on Thursday.While a total of 497 persons have tested positive for the disease in the state, 111 are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. At present, 20711 are under observation with 20285 in houses and 426 admitted to hospitals.
The chief minister added that Neyyatinkara municipality in Thiruvananthapuram, Oachira and Thrikkovilvattam panchayats in Kollam and Udayanapuram in Kottayam have been included in the list of hotspots. At present, there are 70 hotspots in the state.Meanwhile, the state police on Thursday registered 954 cases against people for not wearing masks at public places. The government had announced that wearing masks in public and workplaces is mandatory in the state from Thursday.

Coronavirus originated from China's Wuhan lab: Trump

Coronavirus originated from China's Wuhan lab: Trump

WASHINGTON: The novel coronavirus, which killed over 230,000 people globally so far and has shattered economies, emerged from a virology lab in the Wuhan city of China, US President Donald Trump has claimed.
"Yes, I have. Yes, I have," Trump told reporters on Thursday at a White House briefing when asked if he has seen anything at this point that gives him a high degree of confidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) is where the virus originated.
The president, however, refused to provide any details, except for saying that investigations are on and it would be out soon.
Asked what gave him a high degree of confidence that the virus originated from WIV, he said, "I can't tell you that. I'm not allowed to tell you that."
The president, however, did not hold his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping responsible for this.
"I don't want to say that, I don't want to say that, but certainly it could have been stopped. It came out of China and it could have been stopped and I wish they had stopped it and so does the whole world wish they had stopped it," he said.
Reiterating that this is something that could have been contained at Wuhan ground zero, Trump said China could have contained it. "They were either unable to, or they chose not to. And the world has suffered greatly."
One of two things happened, he reasoned. "They either didn't do it and you know they couldn't do it from a competent standpoint or they let it spread and I would say probably it got out of control."

"But there's another case that how come they stopped all of the planes and all of the traffic from going into China, but they didn't stop the planes and the traffic from coming into the United States and from coming into all over Europe," he said, citing the example of Italy, the hardest-hit European country."This country (the US) is very lucky and I'm very lucky that I put the ban on China, as you know, very early on. In January, we put the ban on China and that was a very early day. That wasn't a late day, that was an early day. Then, we later put the ban on in Europe," he said.
Before holding them accountable, Trump said he wants to find out what happened. "I think we'll be able to get a very good -- a very powerful definition of exactly what happened. We're working on it strongly now and I think it's going to be very powerful," he said.
"But they could have stopped it. They are a very brilliant nation, scientifically and otherwise. It got loose, let's say, and they could have capped it. They could have stopped it, but they didn't. And they stopped the planes from going to China, but they didn't stop them from going to the rest of the world. What was that all about?” he asked.
"We should have the answer to that in the not-too-distant future and that will determine a lot how I feel about China," Trump said.
When asked if President Xi misled him, Trump said, "Something happened. I don't say misleading or not. I'll let you know that. I mean, I'll be able to give you that answer at some point in the hopefully not-too-distant future."
The entire world has suffered as a result of this, he said.

"We have had tremendous death and tremendous sorrow, sadness, and nobody's ever seen anything like it. So, have most of the countries of the world. They've suffered tremendously. It's something that is going to have to be dealt with. We'll have to see," said the president.