Centre sticks to order for mandatory assessment of COVID-19 patients at govt-run facility

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah on June 21,  which was attended by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal too.

"Today's SDMA decision on home isolation of COVID-19 positive patients in Delhi is a reaffirmation of the decision taken at the meeting held by Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah on 21st June and communicated to Delhi Govt on 22.06.20".

Earlier in the day, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia claimed that the Centre has withdrawn its order regarding the mandatory visit to COVID-19 care centres by people who test positive with the virus.

The Union Home Ministry, however, clarified that decision taken at the June 21 meeting to examine every virus-infected patients at a quarantine Centre will remain in force.

Earlier, Kejriwal had appealed to Centre to withdraw its order stating that a forced visit to the centre is not correct.

Sisodia too made an appeal on Wednesday to  Amit Shah seeking help and stating it would be a burden on the already limited health infrastructure.

Last week Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal ordered mandatory five-day institutional quarantine for all patients.

The Delhi government had then stated this would need over 90,000 beds, which was practically impossible at this time.

The order was later modified directing those patients with acceptable home quarantine facilities could stay at their residences.

However, the Centre still directed those testing positive for the contagion must be taken to state-run facilities for further assessment.