Odisha modifies COVID-19 quarantine policy for returnees

Sambad English Bureau Published On : May 24, 2020 at 12:27 PM Updated On : May 24, 2020 at 1:22 PM

Bhubaneswar: In view of influx of Odia migrant workers returning to home state amid lockdown and grave COVID-19 situations across the country, Odisha Government has partially modified the existing quarantine policy for the returnees both in rural and urban areas.

As per the revised quarantine policy, the quarantine period for returnee(s) to the State shall be limited to 14 days instead 21 days. This shall be implemented by local authorities and district collectors.

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In rural areas, the returnee(s) will undergo 7 days of mandatory institutional quarantine. After spending a week at quarantine centre, only asymptomatic returnees will be discharged from there and they will have to stay in home quarantine for a further period of 7 days.

“If the local authorities find it necessary for reasons related to containment of COVID-19 and to prevent spread of infection, they may extend the period of institutional quarantine of the returnees,” Odisha Special Relief Commissioner said in a release today.

In case a quarantinee develops symptoms requiring medical attention, he/she may be shifted to COVID Care Centre or COVID Hospital for treatment.

Similarly, the quarantine policy for returnees relating in urban areas has been partially modified.

As per the order, every person on return from outside Odisha shall have to compulsorily stay in home quarantine for a period of 14 days, observing guidelines issued by the State Health & Family Welfare Department. If the returnee does not have proper quarantine facility at home, he/she shall undergo institutional or paid quarantine for a duration as directed by the local authorities.

However, the following categories of travelers shall be exempted from mandatory quarantine (as specified above for returnees in rural and urban areas), upon arrival in Odisha:

1. Government officials, professionals, businessmen or any other person travelling to Odisha on work and intending to exit within 72 hrs.

2. Government officials, professionals, businessmen or any other person who have travelled from Odisha on work and are returning to the State within 72 hrs. of departure from Odisha

3. Any returnee who has already undergone prescribed quarantine period.