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Even as 6 new cases of swine flu come to light, public health minister contemplates step for IT professionals returning from trips abroad
Techies who travel abroad may soon be forced to accept 10 days of home quarantine to prevent them from spreading the swine flu virus. Public Health and Welfare Minister Dr Rajendra Shingne has already asked the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to look into the matter. "Since IT professionals are mostly in the private sector, we have asked the PMC to meet up with IT bosses and discuss enforcing home quarantine. We are also considering making 10 days of home quarantine compulsory. But a final decision in this regard will be decided after a cabinet meeting with the CM," said Shingne.
Shingne added, "We are aware that the scanning facilities to detect people with fever at Pune Lohegaon Airport are not up to the mark. We are arranging for thermal scanners to be installed at the airport immediately." Meanwhile, IT companies from the city are independently taking steps to counter the swine flu pandemic.
Dr Ganesh Natrajan, global head, Zensar, said, "Since the last two months, we get all our employees returning from foreign countries thoroughly examined for symptoms of the flu for five consecutive days."
Sasken, another IT company is taking its own precautions. "We are asking employees returning from foreign countries to produce medical certificates before resuming duty," said the HR manager of Sasken who refused to be named.
An official from Tech Mahindra said, "A mail is being circulated to all the employees to create awareness so they take necessary precautions against the flu."
Six more persons tested positive in Pune on Tuesday, including three students and three who were related to them. All six have been admitted to Dr Naidu Hospital. | 
