CIRCA against move to send home sans test

IMPHAL, May 31: Strongly opposing the State COVID-19 Consultative Committee decision to send returnees home after completion of 14 days quarantine even if they have not been tested for the virus, Coalition for Indigenes Rights Campaign (CIRCA), Manipur has urged State and Health Department to compulsorily test inmates at the quarantine centres before sending them home.
Sending the returnees home after quarantine period of 14 days without testing for the virus may trigger community outbreak, said CIRCA adding there have been reports that some people remain asymptomatic for a longer period of time. Even if the ICMR has released new discharge guidelines, the State has the responsibility to protect its people and avoid community spread.
To accommodate increasing returnees, more quarantine centres may be set up by engaging Government staff, locals and members of clubs and organisations as volunteers. Proper training on COVID-19 should be given to all volunteers engaged in the quarantine centres.
Besides the community quarantine centres, it is time that Government formulates a policy and set up a long term designated centre for COVID-19, said CIRCA.