Amid Covid-19, foreign returns face the heat
Apanic-stricken Indian student returned from Paris (France) to Delhi just days before the Capital was put under lockdown. Upon landing, the 34-year-old was made to go through tests and subsequently escorted to a quarantine facility in Chhattarpur, and later put in home quarantine.
“We were taken to a bus after hours of screening at the airport. The public outside started filming us as if we were zoo animals. It was really unnerving,” she recalls, adding that the approach of her neighbours and those living in her society hasn’t been any different. “I’m thinking, did I make a mistake by returning home during the coronavirus outbreak?” she asks.
Associations of the societies where foreign-returned individuals are residing are having a tough time tackling ostracisation. Take for instance Shweta Gupta, joint secretary of Mahagun Moderne in Noida. Concerned residents kept messaging Gupta, who says, “Our tower people were concerned because a foreign-returned individual would be using the same common areas... Also, people were afraid that the maid who would be working at that individual’s place would be working in other houses, too... We sent a mail to all residents that the society has been thoroughly cleaned and that the individual is selfisolating.”
Did this help ease the situation? “Absolutely!” she continues, “Overnight, because of proper communication and pro-active attitude of the international resident, she became the hero of the society. Other residents were offering to deliver groceries to her doorstep. They were mentally assured that they are safe.”
However, this isn’t the case everywhere. A Gurugram resident, who runs a preschool, says on the condition of anonymity, “I had just returned from my travel at a time when coronavirus hadn’t reached India. So a parent asked me, ‘Mere bachche ka khaasi zukhaam theek nahin ho raha bahut din se. Mujhe pata chala aap bahar se aaye ho. Toh yeh poochna tha ki aap theek ho ya nahin.’ I clarified that I was fine.”
But ostracisation isn’t the right way. Dr Jivitesh Satija advises, “Sanitise often, maintain social distancing and adhere to the lockdown. All foreign returns must practice home quarantine. Do not shun them, for the need of the hour is that people from abroad must feel encouraged to report their travel history and should self isolate. If we make a big deal out of this, the fear is that the foreign returns might try to hide their travel details.” We were taken to a bus after hours of screening at the airport. The public outside started filming us as if we were zoo animals. It was really unnerving.
A STUDENT WHO RETURNED FROM PARIS