Asymptomatic Indians returning from abroad pose new challenge

Last updated on February 13th, 2023 at 04:22 pm

Many Indians stranded in the UK, were brought back to Bangalore and Mumbai over the last two days under the Vande Bharat mission started by the Centre. Charted through Air India’s special planes more than 600 passengers that have landed back into India are said to be asymptomatic carriers of the Covid-19 disease.

In the next few days, some 2000 more Indians would be received in other parts of India as well.

Arrivals from UK to Mumbai and Bangalore have been immediately placed under various isolation facilities. Both states are making use of premium hotel as isolation centers. All those found to be asymptomatic in Bangalore have been asked to download a special application on their phone, which tracks the movement of the patient.

Some of the returned Indians have been placed in makeshift isolation wards as well. But those who are opted to be put up in hotels have been asked to bear cost on their own. The Quarantine Watch application is to ensure that those under quarantine do not violate the guidelines; doing which will lead to heavy penalty and possibly jail term as well.

The application switches on the geo-positioning system of the phone and makes it mandatory for the quarantined person to take a picture of him or herself every hour till night at the designated place and send it to the government. Mumbai which is one of the worst hit states in India with Covid-19 spread will be following similar isolation protocols.