Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday expressed concern over the rising number of causalities among the Malayalee community outside Kerala. "We have been able to contain the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Kerala. Our efforts are showing results but we are now concerned about its spread in the world and especially, the rising number of causalities among the Malayalee expatriate community," the Chief Minister said while addressing a press conference at the Government Secretariat.
Expressing his condolences to the grieving families on behalf of the State Government, he said "Till now 18 persons of Kerala origin have succumbed to the infection in different countries, the maximum being eight in the USA." "The State Government is anxious about the Pravasi Malayalees and we are bound to help them in this hour of crisis. The Central Government has been informed about the difficulties faced by the expatriate Malayalee community in the wake of the travel restrictions due to the lockdown," he added.
There have been discussions on the steps to be taken by the Indian Embassies in respective countries to help them. The State Government will engage with the Pravasi community in addressing their concerns. He also publically appealed to the School Managements in the Gulf countries to extend the time for paying school fees. Pravasi Malayalee organisations should explore the possibility of building quarantine facilities for the expatriates in their respective countries.
And for those suspected cases under observation, ensure proper safety, especially of women. The State government has requested the intervention of the Minister for External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar in extension of the visa by six months and also health insurance, he added.
|