Kochi: The efficiency of the government of Kerala and the health department comes into question after a British citizen who was quarantined at a Munnar resort, managed to escape from there and reach the Kochi International Airport. He was also able to board the Emirates flight to Dubai.
The British national along with 19 others reached Munnar on 10th of March. However, he was under observation at the Munnar KTDC hotel after the Sub Collector reached the resort and outlined the situation in the state and the need for observation and being quarantined.
However, he along with others in his group managed to escape from the hotel and reached the Kochi Airport hundreds, which is about 100 kms far. It is surprising that they were able to fool both the health workers and also the hotel staff. After all, he along with 19 others and with their luggage cannot vanish without being noticed by the concerned people.
Another flaw from the part of the government machinery came after he was able to board the Emirates flight without being screened properly. It is surprising how a large number of people with foreign passports were able to dupe the security.
The authorities came to know about the disappearance of the foreigner from the resort only after his medical test came out positive. A quick investigation revealed that he along with his group reached the Kochi airport.
The incident shows a lack of seriousness in the quarantining of patients and also in coordination among different departments and also with the public. This points finger at the health department and also the government in failing to contain the spread of virus in an efficient manner.