Odisha Changes Quarantine Guidelines; Returnees to Stay In Quarantine For 14 days

Bhubaneswar: In a major development, the Odisha Government has decided to reduce the 21 days quarantine period for people returning from other states to 14 days.

The quarantine period for returnees to the State will be limited to 14 days and shall be implemented by local authorities and district administration.

The returnees in rural areas will undergo 7 days of mandatory institutional quarantine, post which asymptomatic persons will be discharged to undergo home quarantine for a further period of seven days. If the local authorities find it necessary for reasons related to containment of COVID-I9 and to prevent spread of infection, they may extend the period of institutional quarantine of the returnees.

In case the person/s develop symptoms requiring medical attention, he/she may be shifted to COVID Care Centre/ COVID Hospital. Persons on return from outside Odisha shall have to compulsorily stay in home quarantine for a period of 14 days, observing guidelines issued by Govt. of Odisha. If the returnee does not have proper quarantine facility at home, he/she shall undergo institutional/paid quarantine for a duration as directed by the local authorities.

Certain categories of travelers have been exempted from mandatory quarantine in the State, upon arrival in Odisha. Government officials, professionals, businessmen or any other person travelling to Odisha on work and intending to exit within 72 hrs do not need to stay in quarantine. Any returnee who has already undergone prescribed quarantine also need not stay in quarantine.