Civic body to impose fine on those violating home quarantine norms

To contain the spread of COVID-19 in the city, the Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to impose a fine of Rs 2,000 on patients and their family members if they were found violating home isolation protocol.

“If the infected patient and their family members were found to be stepping out of their home in violation of the home quarantine protocol, they would be fined Rs 2,000 on the first instance. The second time, they would be shifted to a Corporation-run COVID care centre,” Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said in a statement.

Despite several measures taken by the Corporation to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, there have been continuous complaints of COVID affected patients and their family members venturing out of their home. Such violations would lead to the spread of the infection. “Considering the safety of the public, those who test positive for COVID and their family should not venture out of their homes until the doctor-advised home quarantine period ends,” he said.

The Corporation has asked the public to call helpline number 04424384520 if they find someone violating home quarantine rules. The fine would be collected by the Corporation’s zonal implementation team, it said, adding that such teams have been formed in each of the 15 Corporation zones.

Commissioner Bedi said the Corporation has engaged 2,000 focus volunteers to assist people under-home quarantine to purchase groceries, vegetables and medicines.

If the infected patient and their family members were found to be stepping out of their home in violation of the home quarantine protocol, they would be fined Rs 2,000 on the first instance. The second time, they would be shifted to a Corporation-run COVID care centre

— Gagandeep Singh Bedi, Corporation Commissioner