New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry relaxed inter-state movement to migrant workers by road accordance with protocols to be worked out by states. It is a major relief for migrant workers and other people i.e., students and tourists, stranded for the past five weeks due to the national wide lock down.

The Centre’s decision is significant as it comes days before the second phase of the lock down is scheduled to end amid indications that curbs in red zones will not be eased much. With discontent running high among the stranded workers and economic activity being limited, the Centre decided that workers be allowed to return. After their return the workers will have to be scanned and isolated and in cases of suspected symptoms, they will be quarantined in their districts.

It is an endurance challenging requirement for states like U.P, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan when the pandemic has already strained their resources. The Home Ministry issuing guidelines on Wednesday that stranded persons would be allowed to move across states and U.Ts subject to certain conditions. The political compulsions in various states should prompt Governments to make the arrangements and foot the bills.