TN ups vigil at border as cases rise in Kerala

Chennai: With the alarming surge in Covid cases being continuously reported from Kerala for several days, Tamil Nadu on Monday announced that it is enforcing strict monitoring at its borders for the people commuting from Kerala.

The announcement comes after Kerala recorded 29,836 Covid-19 positive cases, with a test positivity rate (TPR) of 19.67 per cent

The Tamil Nadu health department officials along with the police are monitoring the borders at Kaliyakkavilai near Nagercoil and in Walayar adjoining Coimbatore district.

The officials and the police are verifying the Covid-19 vaccination certificates or a negative RT-PCR certificate taken within 72 hours before the journey.

Several people from Kerala were sent back at the Walayar border after they failed to present the certificates.

The state government has issued guidelines mandating the travelers from Kerala to present either a two-dose fully vaccinated certificate or a negative RT-PCR certificate taken 72 hours within the journey.

According to officials at the Walayar check post, more than 3000 people reached the border on Sunday alone to enter the state, out of which several were sent back after failing to provide the mandatory certificates.

After the Onam holidays, a large number of people are returning to Tamil Nadu from Kerala and most of them have not adhered to the guidelines, officials said.

However, the police said that there were no scuffles or issues with the people and those who were not able to produce the certificates went back without much complaint.

Kerala has been recording fresh Covid-19 cases of around 30,000 for the past several days and the number of fatalities per day is also increasing.

Tamil Nadu Health Minister, Ma. Subramanian while speaking to IANS said: "We are safeguarding the people of Tamil Nadu by strict monitoring as mandated in the guidelines prepared by our health experts. There is stringent checking at all borders."