14-day home quarantine no longer mandatory for visitors to the city

But this is only if the air, rail travellers show zero symptoms of COVID-19

In a significant development amid lockdown relaxations, even as coronavirus cases continue to rise, people travelling to Pune for a business trip or just to drop off and pick up family members will no longer have to be home-quarantined for 14 days. Going ahead, they will get to return as soon as they are done with their task, as per fresh instructions from the district administration. However, the authorities have cautioned that this will be applicable only to those who show no symptoms of COVID-19.

The decision was taken by district collector Naval Kishore Ram, he said, considering the desperation of people to return to their hometowns after their work here was done. So, people travelling to the city by flight or train, who wish to go back in a few days, will have to undergo a stringent medical check-up at the airport or railway station — then, they can return if they want.

Ram elaborated, “Incoming passengers to the city by air or rail do not have to stay here in home quarantine for two weeks any more. People have started moving from one city to another for work and they may not be able to stay back for this long. They will, however, have to strictly follow norms laid out by us. A person showing even the slightest COVID-19 symptoms will have to be quarantined at home.” Earlier, the 14-day quarantine was compulsory with a test if showing symptoms of coronavirus disease.

Pune railway division public relations officer Manoj Jhanwar said, “The medical check-up at our premises is being conducted by the district administration and Pune Municipal Corporation. We will abide by the norms conveyed to us. No other check-up is happening from our side at the moment.”