Panaji: Indian Medical Association’s Goa unit on Wednesday welcomed decision of State government to allow home quarantine for asymptomatic COVID-19 positive patients.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday afternoon had told reporters that the state will allow the asymptomatic patients to get home quarantined, if the entire family is infected.
“We welcome the decision of government to allow home quarantine facility for the people of Goa who are willing to stay in their houses with adequate facilities,” IMA Goa unit president S Samuel said in a statement released here.
Reacting to government’s decision to allow deputy collector decide on availing home quarantine facility, Samuel said the Health Officer should be made incharge to certify home quarantine and not the administrative officer like deputy collector.
“Local elected representative and deputy collector along with health officer will ensure that the people, quarantined at home after testing positive, follow all the rules,” he said.
“Those who violate the rules should be fined,” Samuel said.
The IMA has also hailed the government for introducing rapid antigen testing for the people who arrive here from outside the state.
“Antigen testing should be eventually applied to all the asymptomatic contact tracing which can prevent unnecessary isolation of people and specially health care workers and government staff.”
Samuel said that the IMA is eagerly waiting for the government to withdraw its rule making it mandatory for the private hospitals, with ICU, to reserve 20 per cent of its capacity for covid management.
