KOCHI: Central government on Friday informed the Kerala High Court that it has decided not to repatriate Indians stranded abroad due to COVID-19 now.At the hearing on a petition filed by Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre of Dubai through advocates Haris Beeran and OA Nuriya, central government’s counsel submitted that nodal officers have been appointed in embassies to ensure the welfare of Indians in foreign countries. Similar petitions are pending before the Supreme Court and the court has adjourned the hearing for four weeks, the central government told the high court.The high court had asked the central government to file a report on the policy and action taken for bringing Indians stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).It was alleged by the petitioner that stranded Indians wish to come back and the UAE government and their national carrier are willing to transport them but the Indian government has to take a decision. Those requiring urgent attention are the Indians whose visas have expired and those who are there on tourist visas as they will not be included in any of the government plans, advocate Haris had submitted.Advocate Haris had argued that there has to be a strict protocol and only those citizens who are qualified to come back in terms of health needs to be allowed. As per the statement of the UAE authorities, there will be strict screening by them as well as the Indian embassy in UAE on whether the citizens proposed to be flown back are COVID-19 positive or not or whether they have any symptoms. It has to be assured that only persons who are 100 per cent healthy need to be allowed to return back to India. There can be a protocol as per World Health Organization guidelines upon arrival and the quarantine period of 28 days can be followed. The state government has already made arrangements for quarantining one lakh persons, the lawyer had argued.Justice Shaji P Chaly intervened and said instruction of the central government has to be sought first before considering the issue. Justice Nambiar also said the court cannot supplant the wisdom of the government.Advocate Suvin R Menon, who represented the central government, submitted that a meeting convened by the central government today will discuss the issue and that the court can be apprised of the government’s plan.Additional advocate general Ranjith Thampan submitted that another writ petition, by Pravasi Cell, with similar demand has been filed before the Supreme Court. The additional AG submitted that the chief minister has written three letters to the external affairs minister highlighting the apprehension raised by the medical personnel abroad about the protective measures taken, about the quarantining of workers in UAE and other Gulf nations, and about bringing back the workers to Kerala.Based on the submission of the central government counsel, the division bench directed the government to file a report by April 17th explaining its policy and the action being taken on the issue. Justice Shaji P Chaly asked the central government counsel to identify whether the union government is taking a policy decision in the matter.