The residents of Kottayam district in Kerala were in for a huge relief when the state government declared it to be a green zone, or safe zone, with respect to the coronavirus pandemic. However, that was not the case as a 65-year-old woman from Pala in the district tested COVID-19 positive on Wednesday.
What is more alarming is that the woman, who had returned with her husband from Australia on March 20, has now tested positive days after completing the mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Moreover, before being tested positive, she and her 71-year-old husband embarked on a road trip to Kerala from Delhi, covering 2,626 kms and nine states amid the nationwide lockdown. The various facts emerging has left the authorities scrambling for answers.
The couple had returned to India after a brief trip to Australia on March 20. They were asked to be in isolation in Delhi for 14 days by the state health department upon their arrival at the Delhi international airport. The couple, then, quarantined themselves at a hotel in Delhi at their own expenses. As they did not have any symptoms, they were given permission for travel by the state authorities after the quarantine period got over. They started from Delhi in an AC cab on April 14 and reached the Kerala border on April 16, reported Onmanorama. The couple travelled through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu to reach Kerala.
The report added that a former Kerala MP came to their aid as the legislator managed to get a pass for the couple. The couple crossed the state borders without much scrutiny, thanks to the pass. Also, it is yet unclear if the couple was tested for COVID-19 at various state borders during their journey in the lockdown period.
However, they were stopped at Kambamettu (Idukki district) on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. While the couple sought permission to travel to Pala, the police denied the request. Reportedly, a few MLAs contacted the officials with requests to allow the couple to reach their destination. However, the health department officials had said that they would only allow the couple to travel to Pala if the Idukki Collector gives the permission.
Later, they were taken to the Kambamettu police station, while the taxi driver returned to Delhi. According to Onmanorama, they paid Rs 1 lakh as taxi fare. The couple survived on just bread and water all through the journey. They also said they did not even stop to take rest. The authorities are checking if their claims are true.
Later, they were put under isolation at a quarantine centre at Thookkupalam in Idukki as per the instructions of the health department officials. Meanwhile, the woman tested positive. She has been shifted to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital.
The authorities are now trying to verify if their claims are true and are busy tracing the contacts.
