Migrants are less familiar in their new environment in which they temporarily live. They are prone to various social, psychological and emotional trauma in such situations, emanating from fear of neglect by the local community and concerns about wellbeing and safety of their families waiting in their native places.

During the outbreak of COVID-19, the restrictions imposed on routine activities as part of social distancing norms to prevent the spread of the disease, scores of migrant workers tend to move back to their native places. During the prevailing pandemic, many migrant workers used all possible means to reach their destinations. Many of them are however stuck at borders, including district, state and at national border areas. Most of them are dependent on daily wages for their living, and in times of such distress need sympathy and understanding of the society. Immediate concerns faced by such migrant workers relate to food, shelter, health care, fear of getting infected or spreading the infection, loss of wages, concerns about the family and anxiety. Sometimes, they also face harassment and negative reactions of the local community. All this calls for strong social protection.

Understanding the issues of the migrant returnees, the Government have set up temporary shelters i.e. quarantine centres / temporary medical centres in all Panchayats across for 21 days safe stay.

While trying to reach to their native places, the migrant returnees are being filled with anxieties and fears stemming from various concerns, and are in need of psycho-social counselling support. Therefore, they need to be treated with dignity, respect, empathy and compassion; their concerns and problems should be listened and understood patiently; the specific or varied needs of each person need to be recognised; they must be informed regarding this unusual situation and reassured that the situation is transient and not going to last long and normal life will be going to resume soon. Further, they require to be informed about possible sources of help and the support being extended by Central Government, State Government and Civil Society Organisations including health care systems.

Emphasis may be given on the importance of staying in their present location and how mass movement could greatly and adversely affect all efforts to contain the virus. They should be made realise about their importance in the community and their contributions for the society may be appreciated. This is the time to reassure them that even if their employer fails to help them, local administration and charitable institutions would extend all possible help. Out of desperation, many may react in a manner which may appear insulting them, so our obligations is to understand their issues and handle them patiently. If somebody is afraid of getting affected, we have to convince him/her that the condition is curable and can recover very soon. Most importantly, we require to remind the returnees that it is safer for their families if they themselves stay away for certain period; and instead of reflecting any mercy, we have to seek their support in the spirit of winning over the situation together.