Assam recorded the biggest single-day jump in the number of coronavirus cases of 49 new patients - all from quarantine centres - taking the state's tally to 259 cases, days after the movement across the borders resumed amid ease in lockdown rules. A case will be filed against those who jump quarantine, the state government said on Friday, adding that it would be counted as a non-bailable offence.
"We have already made a local committee to ensure that quarantine rules are followed and there is no violation. However, if someone jumps home or institutional quarantine, we will file a criminal case against that person and it would be counted as a non-bailable offence," Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday.
A top Assam health department official added that the state's policy of "ruthless quarantine with a human face" has worked well as all the patients have been isolated. However, as thousands of people keep entering the state each day, quarantine centre may run out of space.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday chaired a review meeting on COVID-19 preparedness of Tawang district, which borders China, with district administration, police and other departments concerned.
"As the country witnesses surge in COVID-19 cases.... especially in the immediate neighbour state, Arunachal Pradesh must be ready for any eventuality," Pema Khandu said.
"It would be failure of the state government if the spread of the disease is not contained," he added.
The Chief Minister said the state government has also launched its exercise to define its own zones, containment plan and standard operating procedures for COVID-19, as per centre's latest guidelines, which would be completed soon.
Across India, more than 1 lakh people have coronavirus, nearly 3,500 have died.
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