Database on those stranded, download Aarogya Setu app: Delhi govt’s SOP on migrants

The detailed standard of procedure issued Sunday also states that those who wish to travel on their own can get transit passes from the district magistrate.

Migrant workers walk back to their villages amid the coronavirus lockdown | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint

New Delhi: A database on those stranded in the capital, “encouraging” them to download the Aarogya Setu app and medical screening of every individual — the detailed standard operating procedure (SOP) issued Sunday by the Delhi government for the movement of migrant workers, students and tourists covers a wide range of issues.

The SOP, which was released by Chief Secretary Vijay Dev in compliance with the central government’s orders, directs the additional district magistrates and additional district commissioners of police to prepare a database of those who are stranded in the capital and wish to go back to their home states and union territories.

This database will be prepared through a web-based application, which will be handled by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s advisor Gopal Mohan and Vikas Anand, the CEO of the Delhi Urban Shelter Housing Board among others.

The document, which ThePrint has seen, also states that those who wish to travel on their own can acquire transit passes from the district magistrate concerned.

Only asymptomatic individuals will be allowed to travel

The SOP document directs the transportation of stranded persons through buses and trains, only after a medical screening is conducted. Only those who are asymptomatic will be allowed to travel.

The order also states that people “may be encouraged to use Aarogya Setu App through which their health status can be monitored and tracked”.

Furthermore, the number of buses and trains required for the exercise will be determined by the Delhi government officials and nodal officers of other states. The secretary of the social welfare department PK Gupta has been appointed as the state nodal officer in Delhi’s case.

“The buses will be sanitized and shall follow safe social distancing norms in seating. Commissioner Transport, MD of Delhi Transport Corporation and MD of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation shall coordinate with state nodal officers and provide buses for the movement of the stranded persons from their respective places (mostly shelter homes) to the inter-state bus terminals/locations specified at the inter-state borders,” the SOP said.

“Railways will designate nodal officers for coordinating with states/UTs for their movement. Railways will also issue detailed guidelines for sale of ticket [sic],” the order added.

After the central government’s order Wednesday several states have started the process of sending back stranded migrant workers and students in batches. The Delhi government brought back over 400 students Sunday, stranded in Rajasthan’s Kota due to the nationwide lockdown imposed on 24 March to curb the spread of novel coronavirus.

Delhi reported 427 new coronavirus cases Sunday — the highest single day tally in the capital. The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi now is 4,549 and the death toll stands at 64.