Maharashtra mandates 7-day institutional quarantine for passengers from 'at-risk' countries

The Maharashtra government on Tuesday mandated a compulsory institutional quarantine of 7 days for those arriving from ‘at risk nations’. They will also have to take RT-PCR tests for Covid thrice - on the second, fourth, and seventh days after arrival.

"Travellers who test positive will be shifted to a hospital while those testing negative will have to undergo an additional seven days of home quarantine, " the circular read. The readout also has a provision on mandatory 7-day home isolation for all those who test negative on arrival.

According to the new order, the immigration department will check the foreign travel history of 15 days of all passengers landing in the state. A special proforma is being readied for the purpose. The order states that violation of declaring travel details will invite action.


Earlier today, the Maharashtra Public Health Department said that six passengers from South Africa and other high-risk countries had tested positive for Covid-19.

Omicron (B.1.1.529), a new variant of the coronavirus, was first reported in Botswana on November 11 this year and appeared in November 14 in South Africa. It has been declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO).