Kerala ready to send kits for expatriates

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As uncertainty over the ‘Covid-free’ certificate for expatriates returning to Kerala continues, the state on Thursday apprised the Union government that it is ready to provide TrueNat testing kits for those planning to return.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state will provide these kits to the embassies. The state chief secretary has also written to the foreign secretary in this regard.

TrueNat test is usually used to detect tuberculosis and the Indian Council of Medical Research had recently recommended it for widening the testing options. Although TrueNat kits are relatively more expensive than others, it can test samples and provide results in 60 to 120 minutes, while the sample collection is safer compared to the RT-PCR and rapid anti-body tests, experts said.

“These tests can be done only though embassies and the Union government will have to help us on this. We have already made it clear tests are necessary for all air passengers coming to the state. As we stick to it, we suggested this option to the centre,” the CM said.

The tiff between the state and Centre over the certificates has affected the scheduled flights — 149 under Vande Bharat and 171 chartered ones — after the state had made it mandatory for returnees to prove they are not positive for Covid-19.

He evaded questions about those who test positive, saying that the Centre will have to make arrangements for them.