To break COVID-19 chain, Maharashtra stamps home quarantined patients

Coming up with a way to avoid the escape of suspected COVID-19 cases from hospitals and treatment centres, the Maharashtra government on Monday (March 16) announced that the left hand of patients sent for home quarantine will be stamped to identify them easily.

The state health minister who announced the decision taken at a meeting of top officials chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, said the decision was taken in view of the state recording almost 39 coronavirus cases, the highest in the country, and around seven suspected patients running away from treatment centres in the past few days.

Tope said the indelible ink, the same used during elections, will be stamped on the left hand of people under compulsory home quarantine. The ink will last for 14 days.

“This will help other people identify them if they break home quarantine and mix among the public during their isolation period,” he said.

“It is not a crime if somebody is infected by Covid-19. They must be given proper medical treatment and psychological support. The Epidemic Diseases Act has been invoked in the interest of the people and the district administration must create awareness on it,” Thackeray said.

BMC also tweeted the order on its handle.

“People who are advised to be #HomeQuarantined will now #GetInked at the back of the palm. This #BadgeOfHonour will serve as a constant reminder, for 14 days. For others, gets easy to spot & remind to return home. One worry less!”

Thackeray has also announced a total of ₹45 crore for the districts of Konkan, Pune, Nagpur, Amravati, Aurangabad and Nashik.

In view of the growing number of cases, the state government has also ordered schools and colleges to be shut and postponed the panchayat elections by three months.