No room for lapses: Kerala minister to returnees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the number of Covid-19 positive cases rising steadily in Kerala, health minister K K Shailaja has requested all who have travelled from outside to the state to strictly adhere to ‘room quarantine’ norms.
“We need to keep a greater vigil during this third phase of the pandemic, which will be the most difficult phase as people are coming from places where the virus density is much bigger,” the minister said in an official release. The ‘home quarantine’ strategy, which was a success during both the first and second phases, gains more importance as people are coming to the state from other states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Delhi where Covid-19 spread is rising alarmingly, she said.
Urging those under home quarantine to keep extreme vigil “for the safety of their family members and also others”, Shailaja said instructions from the health department were to be followed strictly. Any clarity required on the department’s directions and quarantine norms can be had from Disha over helpline numbers 1056 and 0471 2552056, the minister said.
Those under home quarantine should stay inside a separate bath-attached room, which shouldn’t be used by anyone else till the quarantine period ends. Aged or ailing people in the family should never come into contact with them or things they use, and those taking care of them should be between the age of 18 and 50 years and should be in good health.
Besides banning any visitor for people under quarantine, the health department has also directed the family members not to venture out of the house without prior permission from the medical officer at the nearby primary health centre. All the family members should wear masks, use hand wash at regular intervals and maintain social distance inside the house.