Chandigarh may revise quarantine protocol for visitors today

Amarjot Kaur

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 21

With the number of coronavirus cases increasing in the city daily, the UT Administration is likely to take a call on the revision of quarantine protocol for those visiting the city from other places, particularly from Covid-19 hotbeds.

The Tribune has learnt that with the earlier guidelines of self-monitoring by those visiting the city from outside not working to contain the spread of the virus, the Administration is likely to take some drastic measures whereby those coming from other states could be mandated to go for self-quarantine for a certain period.

People visiting the city from Panchkula and Mohali for their day-to-day works are likely to be kept out of the purview of the orders.

Sources in the Administration said: “The final direction in this regard will be taken on Monday in the war room meeting to be held under UT Administrator VP Badnore”.

On June 18, the UT had discussed certain measures that could be undertaken by people who recently visited the city, but no order on this front was passed. Hence, the guidelines issued earlier, which mandate only self-monitoring by visitors, are in force.

During the Administration’s meeting on June 18, where the Administrator also interacted with Principal Secretary (Home) Arun Gupta, Finance Secretary AK Sinha, Commissioner KK Yadav and other officials of the city, Badnore expressed concern over the increasing number of Covid cases and noted that many of these could be found in visitors coming from outside.

He directed Director General of Police Sanjay Beniwal to ensure enhanced checking at border points and make sure that only those have registered themselves on the website for entry to Chandigarh are allowed.

Badnore had directed Gupta to examine if instead of self-quarantine, the Administration can implement self-home quarantine, which will restrict the movement of visitors.

The Administrator also wanted the Adviser to see if those who violate self-quarantine instructions can be penalised by putting them in institutional quarantine centres.

When contacted by The Tribune, Gupta said the decision regarding quarantine of people coming from other states would be taken in the war room meeting on Monday. “The decision will be taken in the tomorrow’s war room meeting,” he said.