The Panvel civic body’s decision to send all Covid-19 positive people, including asymptomatic ones, to quarantine centres has created a flutter among residents of Kharghar and neighbouring areas. Citizens say it is unfair to force asymptomatic people to stay in institutional quarantine when they have space at home for self-isolation. 

Sanjay Shinde, deputy municipal commissioner, said they are acting as per state government instructions issued recently for 18 districts including Raigad of which Panvel Municipal Corporation is a part of. “Of the 118 Covid-19 positive people on Friday, 36 were sent to quarantine centres as they live in flats that do not have separate rooms with attached toilet facilities nor were they under treatment of any doctor. Such patients will need to be sent to quarantine centres.”