Abide by quarantine, says health minister
Health Minister Etala Rajendar on Tuesday appealed to people not to object or protest against quarantine facilities being set up for housing asymptomatic international travellers arriving in the city. The Minister explained that there was no cause for concern or worry as these quarantine facilities, like the ones set up at Haritha Plaza hotel in Vikarabad and Forest Research Academy at Dulapally, are for people without any symptoms.
“At any point of time during the 14 day quarantine period, if anyone develops symptoms, they will immediately be brought to Gandhi Hospital for isolation and testing,” the health minister said. There is absolutely no reason for people to get agitated about these facilities. “What if one among those in quarantine is a member of your family? Would people not want them to be safe, healthy and sound?” the minster added.
So far, 221 persons who came from the first seven countries have been placed under quarantine at Vikarabad and Dulapally. Another 1,238 are under home quarantine already, he said.
He also said that irrespective of whether people coming from identified countries – China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Germany, France and Spain – will be automatically quarantined by the State Government. While India has already banned flights from Afghanistan, Malaysia, Philippines and UK, more countries will join this list from Wednesday including UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.
The State government was also exploring setting up quarantine facilities in different districts for asymptomatic persons flying into the city so they can go to their home district and complete the quarantine period.
Mr Rajendar said that the Chief Minster K Chandrashekhar Rao was constantly monitoring the Covid19 situation in the state and is being fully briefed about every development, actions taken and is guiding the efforts of the government and the Health Department in battling the containment and spread of the disease in Telangana.
The Chief Minister has already announced that fund will be provided irrespective of the amounts required to stop the disease from spreading in Telangana. “Our priority is the health of the people of the State and the Government will take every possible step, including mandatory quarantining, checking of people entering the state and adding more facilities as required to meet any possible surge in cases,” Mr Rajendar said.