Strict action against those jumping quarantine: Himachal CM

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 5

Even as the government today launched “Nigah” programme to sensitise those entering the state from outside, several cases of such entrants giving wrong addresses and switching off their mobiles to jump quarantine have come to light.

This has not just resulted in the health officials and police personnel facing a harrowing time trying to locate them to monitor their health condition but they are posing a threat to the safety of others by moving around in public places.

Two such cases in the state capital have come to light where deliberately wrong addresses were given to avoid monitoring by health staff. Health workers and police persons faced a tough time trying to locate correct address of a girl and a boy, who have now been placed under institutional quarantine at Pari Mahal. It was also found that they had been moving in public in blatant violation of mandatory 14-day home quarantine for those entering the state from outside.

“Following these two cases, we have decided to issue a public notice whereby strict action will be taken against all those who violate the 14-day quarantine norm and furnish wrong address while seeking entry into the state,” said Superintendent of Police, Omapaty Jamwal. He said action would be taken against all such people.

With a youth from Jogindernagar, who arrived from Delhi on April 29, testing positive, the government has realised the necessity of ensuring that they adhere to the 14-day home quarantine directions. The Chief Minister today said that all such people returning to their homes had a responsibility to adhere to home quarantine. He said strict action would be taken against those jumping home quarantine as this would not only harm their family members but also society as a whole.