Two Indian expats who arrived in Kerala from the Gulf on May 7 have tested positive for the coronavirus, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said yesterday.
“One is from Dubai and arrived at Kozhikode, and the other came from Abu Dhabi to Kochi,” he said. 
Vijayan said more non-resident Keralites (NRKs) would arrive and the state was ready with all arrangements in place.
“We have 207 state-run and 125 private hospitals. Twenty-seven hospitals have been kept ready to be turned into full-time Covid-19 hospitals. No country has come out of this as everyday fresh cases are being reported,” said Vijayan.
The chief minister said health professionals were in regular touch with those in quarantines/isolation centres.
“All those in isolation have an app with them and can get in touch with health professionals through video call. If required, medicines will be supplied at the doorstep and the person be shifted to the hospital.”
The chief minister also said a 14-day home quarantine for all Keralites returning from other states would be compulsory.
“Kerala’s home quarantine protocol has been very effective. Hence top health expert B Iqbal suggested that in the present context it would be best that those who arrive from within the country and having no symptoms be home quarantined,” said Vijayan.
According to the state-owned Norka-Roots web portal, around 200,000 people have registered to return and a majority are from neighbouring states and Maharashtra.
Those with symptoms would be tested and, if needed, be isolated in hospitals, he said.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders slammed the Kerala government over the poor arrangements for arrival of Keralites stranded in neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The Kerala government has set up six entry points for Keralites, stranded in these states due to the lockdown.
During the day, Congress Lok Sabha member V K Sreekandan rushed to Walayar on the border of Coimbatore on hearing that hundreds were stuck at the check-post for want of proper passes, and provided them food.
“It’s unfortunate. The Kerala government is taking so much pain to take care of migrant labourers, but is not showing the same enthusiasm to receive own people, waiting to enter their home state,” said Sreekandan.
In Thrissur, three Congress lawmakers - T N Prathapan, Remya Haridas (both MPs) and Anil Akkara (MLA) - staged a sit-in at the district headquarters.
“People from Thrissur are stuck at various check-posts. It’s total chaos in allocation of passes. This has to end as the people are suffering,” said Haridas. Prathapan said it could have easily been managed online.
“It’s surprising when Minister for Local Self-Government A C Moideen intervenes, passes get issued. It’s unfortunate.
There seems to be a political play,” said Akkara.