Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Government has made it mandatory for all students from Kerala to produce a negative RTPCR certificate taken within three days prior to the visit and the vaccination certificate for resuming their studies in colleges and schools in the State.
The decision assumes significance in the wake of the decision by Tamil Nadu to open schools and colleges in the State from Wednesday.
A circular to this effect was issued by the Tamil Nadu Government to the colleges.
With only two days left for the opening of the colleges, the decision would affect tens and thousands of students from Kerala pursuing their studies in cities like Chennai and Coimbatore. But there is no clarity yet on how the new circular would be implemented.
Earlier, the Karnataka Government had enforced one-week institutional quarantine for all those who come from Kerala to Karnataka in the wake of a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.
Legal action against those entering TN in violation of Covid curbs
Walayar: The Coimbatore district administration has warned that cases would be filed against those entering Tamil Nadu in violation of the health department's Covid restrictions.
This is in the wake of the recent spurt in Covid cases in Kerala.
“Only 70 per cent of the people, arriving at the border, are adhering to the norms. And therefore, instructions have been given to the officers to take legal action, if necessary,” Coimbatore district Collector G S Sameeran said.
The Collector, who took stock of screening procedures at the state border, also attended the meeting with the officers.
Along with the TN e-pass, either the vaccine certificate (both doses) or the negative results of the RT-PCR tests taken within 72 hours are mandatory to enter Tamil Nadu.
Exemptions have been given for ambulances, vehicles ferrying patients, education or job interviews, essential services, and cargo vehicles.
Upload certificate
Even while applying for the Tamil Nadu e-pass, the fully vaccinated certificate or negative results of the RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours should be uploaded. Only if this is provided, the pass would be issued. This came into effect from Sunday.