Students, migrant workers, tourists return to Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: For the first time since the lockdown was implemented due to outbreak of Covid-19, several hundred vehicles crossed the Telangana border and entered into Andhra Pradesh in Jaggaiahpet mandal of Krishna district on Saturday.

Students, migrant workers, tourists and other people belonging to Andhra Pradesh obtained passes in other States citing health grounds, family matters and other reasons and came to Andhra Pradesh from Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and other States on Saturday.

Some students came in buses also. The Andhra Pradesh police are verifying the passes and reasons mentioned in the passes and later allowing them into Andhra Pradesh if the reasons are found genuine. It may be noted that lakhs of Telugu people belonging to Andhra Pradesh have been stranded in other States following the implementation of nationwide lockdown. They have been trying to return to their native places and applying for the inter-State passes in other States.

The Union government issued guidelines for inter-State transportation. The Andhra Pradesh government is insisting that 14 days quarantine is must for the people, who come to Andhra Pradesh from other States. But, exemption is given for some emergency cases related to medical and health issues. An officer supervising the Garikapadu check-post on Andhra Pradesh and Telangana border in Jaggaiahpet mandal said the police were carefully verifying the passes issued by other States and giving permission to enter the State.

For the first time in 45 days, more than 400 vehicles crossed the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh border and entered in to the State. Parents of the students and other family members heaved a sigh of relief with their return from other States after a gap of 45 days.