Home quarantine may be allowed for those returning from abroad

NEW DELHI: The Centre is weighing easing quarantine norms as the number of Covid-19 cases rise and an increasing number of people are admitted to hospitals.

Allowing home quarantine and permitting home food at external quarantine facilities are on the table, ET gathers.

A key suggestion being considered is to do away with mandatory hotel or hospital quarantine for Indians returning from other countries.


This issue has also been flagged in grievances registered with the Ministry of Civil Aviation as well as the Ministry of External Affairs.

ET gathers that after studying the spread and trajectory of the virus, the empowered group on Covid-19 has recommended home quarantine for asymptomatic passengers returning under the Vande Bharat mission. This move is expected to considerably reduce mental stress for those returning and also free up hotels and other facilities for serious patients.

“We have recommended home quarantine of 14 days for those returning from other countries. If they have no symptoms, they should be permitted to go home straightaway where they can self-quarantine..., ” a senior official told ET.

There is also considerable discussions around allowing home food for those in government or other quarantine facilities. It is felt that allowing home food will also help patients in isolation facilities. There are some logistical issues that are being worked out by the health ministry.

Senior citizens are also more comfortable in a home quarantine setting. The empowered groups are also concerned about mental health, and the stigma faced by patients. They have asked states ensure district-level counseling for all patients.

The health ministry and the empowered group have gradually began relaxing quarantine norms in view of these concerns and also to ensure that hospital attention can be focussed on critical cases instead.

A more ‘targetted’ approach is key to India’s strategy of tackling the virus. Around 230 people were on ventilator support in the country earlier this week, against a lakh positive cases and the focus is accordingly on this set of patients, said officials.

So far, India’s recovery rate and positive confirmation rate are encouraging but the next few months will be critical.