COVID-19: Odisha changes quarantine policy

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Sunday changed its COVID-19 quarantine policy.

According to the policy, people returning to villages in Odisha will have to undergo 14 days of institutional quarantine, including seven days of home isolation.

Those returning to cities will have to undergo 14 days of quarantine at home.

Earlier, the state government had set 28 days of mandatory quarantine.

Guideline for quarantine in rural areas is amended as under:

1. The quarantine period for returnee(s) to the State will be limited to 14 days. This shall be implemented by local authorities i.e., District Collectors.

2. Returnee(s) in rural areas will undergo 7 days of mandatory institutional quarantine, after which asymptomatic returnee(s) shall be discharged to undergo 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 returnee(s).

3. In case the quarantinee develops symptoms requiring medical attention, he/ she may be shifted to COVID Care Centre/ COVID Hospital.

The guideline for quarantine in urban areas has been modified to the effect that 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 H&FW Dept., Govt. of Odisha.

If the returnee does not have proper quarantine facility at home, he/ she shall undergo institutional/ paid quarantine for a duration as directed by the local authorities.

Govt. officials, professionals, businessmen or any other person travelling to Odisha on work and intending to exit within 72 hrs, Govt. 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, and returnee who has already undergone prescribed quarantine are exempted from mandatory quarantine.

Guideline has been issued for the quarantine as well as exemption by Special Relief Commissioner.

The State Government appeals different Odia organisations, the returnees as well as the local authorities to extend all cooperation in this regard to contain the spread of COVID-19.