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Covid-19: MHA issues advisory on migrant labourers

NEW DELHI: In a big relief for migrant labourers stranded due to the lockdown, the home ministry on Sunday allowed the intra-state movement of migrant labourers residing in relief camps and shelters, to their respective places of work if found asymptomatic upon screening. However, non-movement of such labourers outside the state/UT where they are currently located shall be allowed.“Due to the spread of Covid-19 virus, workers employed in industry, agriculture, construction and other sectors have moved from their respective places of work and are housed in relief/shelter camps being run by state/UT governments. Since additional new activities, outside containment zones, have been permitted in the consolidated guidelines with effect from 20th April 2020, these workers could be engaged in industrial, manufacturing, construction, farming and MNREGA works,” the home ministry said while allowing their movement within the state or Union territory to be facilitated as per laid-down guidelines or standard operating procedures. Read our coronavirus live blog for all the latest news and updates As per standard operating procedures for movement of stranded labour within the state/UT, migrant labourers living in temporary relief camps and shelters should be registered with the concerned local authority and their skill mapping carried out to gauge their suitability for various kinds of works.If a group of migrants wish to return to their places of work within the state/UT, they would have to be screened and those who are asymptomatic would be transported to their respective places of work, say the SOPs. During the journey by bus, safe social distancing must be ensured and buses used for transport sanitised as per guidelines of the health authorities.The local authorities would have to provide food and water etc for the duration of their journey.