Coronavirus Scare: Maharashtra to Stamp People Under Home Quarantine

Amid the coronavirus epidemic in the country, the Maharashtra government has decided to take an unusual step to tighten the measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The state government has decided to put a stamp on the back of the left hand of all those who are being told to remain under home quarantine.

Maharashtra has seen 39 cases of COVID-19 – highest in the country so far. The decision comes after a few suspected patients fled from the treatment centres in the last few days. According to the press, the state government had issued an order on Monday to all concerned officials in hospitals and airports to stamp the hands of all those who are under compulsory home quarantine till March 31 with indelible ink – applied to voters during election.

Maharashtra chief minister, Uddhav Thackeray, has also urged those who have been advised to stay under home quarantine to refrain from socialising.

The state government has also offered to make hotel rooms available to quarantine suspected COVID-19 cases if the patients are willing to pay. This comes after the Thackeray government faced heavy criticism over unhygienic conditions at Mumbai's only coronavirus quarantine centre. Other states and UTs like Delhi too have offered pay and use quarantine facilities at hotels near airports.

To learn more about coronavirus and how to stay safe, click here.

Watch travel stories come to life with Tripoto on Youtube!