Those coming from red zones in Assam will now be kept in institutional quarantine even if asymptomatic

May 7: Till now, those entering Assam from other states were allowed to go for home quarantine, if they were found to be asymptomatic during initial screening at entry points. However, the incident of 42 persons who came to Cachar District in Assam by bus from Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan became an eye-opener for the state government. Out of them, 1 person tested COVID-19 positive at Silchar, which led the district administration to send all 41 passengers of the bus along with 2 drivers for facility quarantine.

Disclosing this fact during a press briefing in Guwahati, State Health Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said that henceforth people coming to Assam from red zones from any state will be institutionally quarantined until the result of the first swab test is declared. He said, initially, such people will atleast be kept for minimum 3 days in facility quarantine. By the time, the result of 1st swab test conducted on them will be known. It is then the health experts would take further decision. He also mentioned that now onwards, even those who are asymptomatic, but coming from red zones will be quarantined in facilities arranged by the government.