Coronavirus: How NRIs’ irresponsible behaviour puts Punjab at risk

Daily we are getting the list of 1,000 to 1,500 NRIs in our district for the past couple of days, said Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, Varinder Sharma.

What are respective district administrations doing about these lists?

The teams of health and police department have been formed to trace these NRIs as per these lists in their respective villages or towns. Then, they are being examined and asked to do self-quarantine for 14 days.

Why this poses a high risk to Punjab residents?

Most NRIs who have come back are not following the madatory home quarantine. The district authorities are finding it difficult to trace them. “Not even one per cent of these NRIs are behaving in a responsible manner and doing self-quarantine,” said a Civil Surgeon in Doaba. “Our teams are tracing them either at their relatives’ place in other villages or at the residences of fellow villagers and even moving around freely in the main markets in their respective areas,” he added, pointing out that there are even attempts to hide travel histories.

How did so many of them manage to come back?

All airlines flying from Europe were not stopped by the Centre when the virus entered in Europe in February, said a Punjab minister, adding that while the Union government reacted late, it also did not ensure proper screening at the Delhi airport.

Workers disinfect an area in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, in Amritsar, Saturday, March 21, 2020. (PTI Photo)

What is the way forward?

The state government must involve village panchayats to check on every NRI who has returned in the recent months.

Is this the usual time for NRI visit Punjab?

NRIs mostly come to Punjab from December to February during the marriage season here and also to escape the harsh winters in countries like Canada. By March, most of them go back. But this year, they have continued their travel to India even in March. Around 55 lakh NRIs from Doaba are settled abroad.

Why are they coming back in large numbers?

Most of them are coming back as Europe has been hit badly by coronavirus. After Italy, other nations like Spain and France are getting affected. Italy too has large number of Punjabis. “Medical system has failed in Italy after the outbreak of coronavirus and we thought that they will treat the natives on priority basis due to lack of medical facilities. So, we decided to come here safely before virus could infect us ,” said a man who recently returned to Bholath from Italy and is in home-quarantine.

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