Delhi LG Makes 5-Day Institutional Quarantine Mandatory For Covid-19 Positive; Govt Says Decision To ‘Seriously Harm’ Delhi

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal made 5 days institutional quarantine mandatory for those who test positive for coronavirus in Delhi. The government has called the decision 'arbitrary'.

New Delhi: Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday, made 5 days institutional quarantine mandatory for those who test positive for coronavirus in the state. According to an order issued by the Lt Governor, “every corona positive person will have to stay in quarantine centre for 5 days. Only then will the person be sent to home isolation. But if there are symptoms then they will be sent to the quarantine centre or hospital accordingly.’ It also said,’Under the supervision of the district magistrate, the team of district surveillance officers will do physical verification of everyone in home isolation.’ The Delhi government is not pleased with the decision of the LG and has called it ‘arbitrary’ as it fears it might lead to more pressure on the healthcare system. The government says that the move will ‘seriously harm’ Delhi as there is already a severe shortage of essential medical personnel and getting manpower for taking care of quarantine centres will be difficult. Delhi is the third-worst affected state in the country and has reached the 50k mark. At present, the state has a total of 53116 cases with 27,512 active cases, and 2035 fatalities caused due Coronavirus. On Friday the Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain was put on oxygen support after his condition deteriorated. He was later shifted to Saket's Max Hospital for Plasma therapy for Coronavirus. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Kalkaji, Atishi also tested positive for the novel Coronavirus. The 39-year-old AAP representative had complained of mild fever on Tuesday after which she underwent medical tests for Coronavirus. She is under home quarantine after the test reports on Wednesday declared her to be COVID-19 positive.