No.57/2020-2021
Aizawl, the 12th May 2020: In order to facilitate the smooth return of persons currently stranded outside Mizoram, a Standard Operating Procedure for Return of Permanent Residents of Mizoram Stranded Outside the State due to COVID-19 Lockdown was issued by the Disaster Management & Rehabilitation Department on 8th May 2020. The SOP is appended below for information and guidance of all concerned.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR RETURN OF PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF MIZORAM STRANDED OUTSIDE THE STATE DUE TO COVID-19 LOCKDOWN.
Chapter 1: Up to Arrival in Mizoram
1. No resident of Mizoram should return without prior permission of the Government of Mizoram issued by Home Department. In case any resident returns without prior permission and in contravention of this SOP, such person(s) shall be liable to be penalised under relevant sections of the Mizoram (Containment and Prevention of Covid-19 Ordinance, 2020) and will not be allowed to enter the State until formalities are completed.
2. Stranded permanent residents of Mizoram desirous of returning to Mizoram should report themselves to their nearest Mizo Welfare Association of the State where they are currently stranded, giving their full particulars as per the prescribed proforma placed at Annexure-I.
3. The list of Mizo Welfare Associations of various states is attached at Annexure-2.
4. The respective Mizo Welfare Associations concerned shall submit the consolidated list of such persons to the Officer-in-Charge, Task Group on Migrant Workers and Stranded Travellers (TGMWST). The list of Officers-in-Charge of various States/UTs/zones, along with their contact details, is attached at Annexure-3. In cases where it is not appropriate to contact the Mizo Welfare Associations, the stranded persons may directly contact Officer-in-Charge, TGMWST who shall facilitate the movement of such persons in consultation with Home Department, Deputy Commissioner concerned, nodal officer of the State in which such persons are located and other stakeholders.
5. Based on the list submitted by the Mizo Welfare Associations, depending on the location of the stranded persons, mode of transportation shall be finalized. If returning by rail ('Shramik Special' train) is feasible, Originating Train Stations will be identified for each State or zone from where special direct train service will be arranged if feasible, which will proceed up to Bairabi, Mizoram or Silchar, Assam, or Guwahati, Assam depending on the decision of Indian Railways authorities. The stranded persons desirous of undertaking the train journey shall make their own arrangements to reach their respective Originating Train Stations.
6. Wherever convenient, the trains will be shared with residents of other NE States who are also to return to the region. The Nodal Officer for Coordination with Indian Railways & Other States shall, if possible, arrange for the residents of Mizoram to be accommodated in the same bogie of the 'Shramik Special' trains.
7. Depending on the final destination of the special train, the Deputy Resident Commissioner, Mizoram House concerned (Guwahati or Silchar, as the case may be) or the Task Group on Commodities and Transport, Government of Mizoram (in case the train arrives at Bairabi) shall make arrangements for onward road travel for these stranded persons from the last train destination upto their home districts in Mizoram.
8. A clear-cut movement plan, highlighting the name and contact number of the driver, vehicle number, date and time of departure from the last train station, will be prepared by the Task Group on Commodities and Transport (for travellers alighting at Bairabi) or the Deputy Resident Commissioners concerned (for travellers alighting at Guwahati or Silchar, as the case may be). The movement plan shall be intimated to the Deputy Commissioners concerned and Task Group on Quarantine Facilities.
9. Cost of train tickets, bus fares and food while in transit shall be borne by the travellers themselves.
10. The Nodal Officer designated to liaise with Indian Railways and the State Governments where residents of Mizoram are stranded shall work in close liaison with the Indian Railways authorities and the Nodal Officers of other State Governments concerned for optimum utilisation of the special train service.
11. For persons returning by road, they should report to the nearest Additional/Joint/Deputy resident Commissioner, Mizoram House concerned who will coordinate with the Officer-in-Charge, TGMWST as well as the Deputy Commissioner of the destination District concerned. A movement plan as elaborated in Para 8 shall also be made in such instances by the Additional/Joint/Deputy Resident Commissioner, Mizoram House concerned in consultation with all parties concerned.
12. All stranded persons returning to Mizoram through the aforementioned mode shall be subjected to health screening at the point of entry (Vairengte or Bairabi as the case may be) upon arrival in Mizoram, and they shall undergo mandatory quarantine for at least 14 days as prescribed by the State Government. A District wise register of all persons entering the State shall be maintained at the screening point. This list shall be shared with the concerned Deputy Commissioner for cross checking at quarantine facilities.
Chapter 2: Arrival and Beyond
13. On receipt of the movement plan mentioned in Para 8 and Para 11, the Deputy
Commissioner shall make detailed allotment plan for allotment of Quarantine Facilities for returnees destined for his District. The details of the Quarantine Facilities allotted shall be intimated to the allottee in advance by the Deputy Commissioner concerned.
14. The allotment plan shall also be shared with Home Department, Task Group on Commodities and Transport/ Medicine & Medical Equipments / Quarantine Facilities, Officer-in-Charge, TGMWST, all Deputy Commissioners of Districts to be transited, Additional/Joint/Deputy Resident Commissioners concerned, State Control Room and Health & Family Welfare Department.
15. Officials at entry points shall be kept informed of the movement plan and allotment plan by the Deputy Commissioner concerned.
16. On arrival, all returnees shall be screened at the entry points. Under no circumstances shall persons without the requisite permission of Home Department be allowed to enter the State.
17. All permanent residents of Mizoram who pass the screening shall proceed directly to their allotted quarantine facility or the designated arrival point in Aizawl, as the case may be, as per the movement plan. No halts at towns and villages en route is permitted, social distancing and hygiene norms are to be strictly followed. Police escort shall be given wherever feasible to ensure compliance to this protocol.
18. Persons requiring change of transportation will head directly to the arrival point designated by Task Group on Commodities & Transport or the Deputy Commissioner as the case may be. Stranded returnee shall not be allowed to leave such premises during their transit. Arrangements to avoid delays at arrival points shall be made by the Task Group on Commodities and Transport in collaboration with the Deputy Commissioner concerned.
19. Upon their arrival at the quarantine facility/centre, every returnee shall be screened using Rapid Antibody Test kits as per the protocol prescribed by the Government.
20. If, due to extenuating circumstances, a person wishes to be home quarantined, an application shall be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of the destination District well ahead of the date of departure from the originating station. The recommendation of Local/Village Level Task Force, certifying the availability of dedicated bedroom and toilet facilities for the person(s) to be quarantined, shall be enclosed with the application. The Local/Village Level Task Forces will give their recommendation only after due verification as aforesaid.
21. Permission for home quarantine will be given only by the Chairman of the District Level Task Force after due consultation with the District Medical Board, subject to the clearance of the Rapid Antibody Test by the person(s) upon arrival at a designated location to be arranged by the Deputy Commissioner. In such cases, the Guidelines for Home Quarantine issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India shall be observed in letter and spirit. A written undertaking to this effect shall be obtained from the person to be quarantined (or his parents/ guardian in case of minor).
22. Returnees preferring to be quarantined in a hotel empanelled for such purpose at their own expenses will be allowed to do so subject to their clearing the Rapid Antibody Test before checking in to the hotel. Separate guidelines will be issued in this regard.
23. All stranded persons returning to Mizoram shall execute an undertaking to the effect that they have voluntarily decided to undertake the said journey and that they will abide by this Standard Operating Procedure. In cases where the stranded person is a minor, the undertaking shall be executed in his/her behalf by parents/guardians.
24. The Government may make necessary amendments to the SOP as and when required.
