Amongst the COVID-19 pandemic, the health ministry has requested all the states to treat the quarantine period of doctors and healthcare workers as “on duty”.

In a letter that was dated on 6th August was sent to the chief secretaries of all the states and Union territories, directors of all the AIIMS organizations and directors along with the medical superintendents of central government hospitals.Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the health ministry had said that the quarantine period of doctors and healthcare workers for their COVID-19 duties should be treated as “on duty”.

Agarwal said that the matter was under concernas it was highlighted in the Supreme Court that in few cases, doctors and healthcare workers, who are quarantined after COVId-19 duty, are treated as on leave.

Doctors and healthcare workers who areat high-risk exposure to the coronavirus while carrying out COVID-related duties should mandatory undergo quarantine for a week initially. Subsequently, a decision will be taken by the institution on extending the quarantine period by one more week, as mentioned in the letter. It also said that the quarantine has been recommended for public interest to halt the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Source: The Indian Express