Coronavirus Outbreak: Set up relief camps along highways for migrant workers returning home, Centre directs States

''As per the directions of  Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government has committed all support to Migrant Workers during lock-down period,'' Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here  on Saturday while reviewing the country's preparedness to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In this context, the Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has again written to States, today, requesting them to immediately set up Relief Camps for migrant workers and pilgrims who have been on move to their domicile states or trying to do so during this lockdown period.

States have been advised to give wide publicity and awareness using public address systems, technology and by utilising the services of volunteers and NGOs about the location of the relief camps and the facilities being made available, the letter said.

The States have to  distribute relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, setting up of relief camps along highways for people moving on highways, including setting up of tented accommodation to ensure that these persons would stay in the relief camps till the lockdown orders are in place, it further said.

''The shelters are to be organised, keeping in view various precautions including social distancing, with adequate Medical check up drives to identify and separate cases requiring quarantine or hospitalization,'' the MHA communication  added.

The Home Ministry has also authorised all States to use the State Disaster Response Fund for providing such relief measures.