INDIAN expatriates in the kingdom have sought more clarity on new Covid-19 travel protocols in their home country – especially the 14-day ‘self-observation’ for passengers from the Middle East.
Residents from the Indian state of Kerala, in particular, have also expressed concern over rising costs as the guidelines mandate additional RT-PCR tests to be taken at one’s own expense.
“The rules are so confusing and even ridiculous,” said K P Ashokan, a long-term resident from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, who felt that vaccinated passengers should be granted exemptions.
Bahrain is winning the war on Covid-19 with less than 50 cases being reported every day. A total of 78 per cent of the population, including expatriates, have been double-jabbed, with many even receiving the booster shot.
“I want to go home for my daughter’s engagement and had booked tickets so that I reach there seven days before the event,” the 55-year-old said. “Now I hear about the new 14-day self-monitoring rule, I am not sure if I should go earlier. I will then have to readjust my tickets.”
Munawer Mohammed, a sales representative from Kochi, also pointed out the ambiguity over the ‘self-monitoring’ rule.
“Are we supposed to stay indoors or can we move around – this matters as most of us are travelling for a short period, say three weeks to a month,” he said. “Fourteen days self-isolation would leave me with no time for a holiday.”
Visitors from the UK must also undergo a 10-day quarantine while it is seven days for South African, Brazilian and European passengers.
Ms George
The GDN yesterday reported that Kerala State Health Minister Veena George announced additional RT-PCR tests for international passengers following new guidelines from the Union Health Ministry.
“We can understand the mandatory test upon arrival in Kerala, but why a test prior to boarding?” said Indian resident Rithin Raj. “Airline travel has become so expensive post Covid-19 and more RT-PCR tests are adding to our burden.”
As of Monday every passenger travelling to Kerala will have to shell out around BD60 for RT-PCR tests – the first one prior to boarding (estimated around BD15), the second back home on the eighth day of arrival (around INR1000/BD5) and BD36 to be paid for three tests upon return to the kingdom.
“A family of four will have to set aside BD240 for RT-PCR tests alone,” Mr Raj from Kannur, Kerala, said.
The Indian minister also announced that swab samples of passengers travelling from the Middle East to Kerala will be tested for Covid-19 mutations.
While this could be a precautionary measure, a few expats rued that it could send a wrong message to the public.
“I fear gullible people in my hometown could look at me as a carrier of a new mutant,” said resident Asha Unnikrishnan. “As it happened an year ago, Gulf residents could be blamed once again for rising infections in their home country.”
According to the rules, samples of passengers from countries including the UK, New Zealand, China, Botswana, South Africa, European nations, Brazil, the Middle East, Bangladesh, Mauritius, and Zimbabwe will be sent for virus mutation tests.
Meanwhile, Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam president P V Radhakrishna Pillai yesterday told the GDN that officials in Kerala have ‘categorically denied’ a third RT-PCR test for incoming passengers from the Middle East.
“I checked with the chief minister’s office, Health and Non-resident Keralites Association officials in Kerala regarding the rules mentioned in the Kerala Health Minister’s Press release and they categorically denied it.
“They say that passengers from the Middle East need to undergo only two RT-PCR tests – one before boarding and the other upon arrival in Kerala.
“If they test negative, they have to self-monitor, there is no isolation or quarantine for 14 days.”
Kerala recorded 8,850 Covid-19 cases on Monday, pushing the total cases reported from the state to 47,29,056.
Bahrain is home to almost 500,000 Indians of which majority is from Kerala.
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