Amid COVID-19, on 11 May, 2020, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the migration of people by train. The Ministry of Home Affairs in its order dated 11.05.2020 asked the Ministries/Department of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments, and State/Union Territory Authorities to ensure strict implementation of Standard Operating Protocol (SOP), for the migration of persons by train.
Due to increasing cases of COVID-19, the Government of India suspended the local and outstation train services completely. In order to curb the transmission of the virus. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 29th issued an order on the movement of people stranded; due to the nationwide lockdown and the subsequent extensions. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed migrating persons to use the Aarogya Setu app; through which their health status be monitored and tracked. However, considering that so many of the migrants are wage workers, they do not even own a smartphone to download an app on; this facet remains unacknowledged.
Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued orders on May 1st, 2020 and May 5th, 2020 on Guidelines by Ministry of Railways for sale of tickets and other safety measures; the Standard Operating Protocol for movement of Indian nationals stranded outside the country and of specified persons to travel abroad.
