The Bengal government has asked Indian Railways to suspend long-distance trains to Bengal after chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed the fear that many migrants were being allowed to take trains without screening them for symptoms of Covid-19.

Probably worried by reports of a huge rush in railway stations in big cities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the evening appealed to the people to stay put wherever they were for a few days.

Earlier in the day, Mamata had flagged her concerns by telling ABP Ananda: “The problem is that some states are sending back people from our state through special trains after they failed to stop spread of the virus…. The railways are not carrying out health screening of the people coming from other states. I would request to suspend long-distance trains to Bengal for a few days.”

The chief minister was responding to a question whether the state can do anything as two special trains — one from Pune and another from Mumbai — were on their way to Bengal. “Over 5,000 people are expected in the two trains,” said an official of Howrah station.

The chief minister said that those who have already reached Bengal or who are on the way could not be sent back.

“But I request them to stay at home for 14 days and in case they develop any symptom, they should contact the nearest government hospitals. The family members of such people also have a role to play and they should ensure that they isolate themselves even from the family members,” she said.

The chief minister has called an all-party meeting on Monday to discuss ways to address the coronavirus threat.

Bengal chief secretary Rajiva Sinha wrote to Railway Board chairman V.K. Yadav, urging him to suspend long-distance trains to Bengal.

Sources said that the chief minister was livid after learning about the special trains and instructed the chief secretary to send the letter immediately. She apparently told her close aides that she had been warning the Centre against running special trains or allowing international flights for the last few days.

Now that the trains are on their way, the state government has decided to send teams of doctors and health workers to important junctions to conduct health screening of the people on board the special trains. “We have to do this because the railways were doing nothing,” said an official.

As the virus takes about five days to develop symptoms, screening on the trains might not help detect all the affected, said a source.

“The district authorities will have to encourage community monitoring and ensure that those who show symptoms are isolated,” said an official.

Modi’s appeal

Prime Minister Modi on Saturday evening appealed to people to stay put wherever they were for a few days and refrain from rushing back to their homes from their places of work because of the coronavirus scare.

The appeal came against the backdrop of people flocking to railway stations in big cities, especially in Mumbai, to leave for their homes in the wake of uncertainty over the vocation and the absence of any promise of relief so far.

“Please stay where you are for a few days. This way, we will be able to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. By crowding railway stations and bus stations, we are playing with our health. Please be concerned about yourselves and your families. Please do not venture out of your homes unless unavoidable,” the Prime Minister tweeted.