Coronavirus: India stamping hands of people told to self-isolate with indelible ink

State of Maharashtra enforces measure as part of attempts to contain spread of Covid-19

Authorities in India are stamping the hands of individuals told to self-quarantine, as the country steps up its efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus.

Those who test positive for the disease will be marked with an indelible ink, normally used in the country to mark those who have already voted during elections.

The measure is to be enforced in the western state of Maharashtra, which, as of Monday, had recorded the highest number of cases across India.

In an official release, the state government described the decision as a precautionary measure intended to raise awareness among the local population and discourage potential patients from breaking quarantine.

“It is not a crime if somebody is infected by Covid-19. They must be given proper medical treatment and psychological support,” chief minister Uddhav Thackeray told reporters.

However, he urged people to adopt act responsibly during the outbreak.

“Those who require self-quarantine but don’t want to stay in hospital or hotels and want to go home, they should have a sense of responsibility,” Mr Thackeray added. “They should not roam around freely. They should follow quarantine strictly.”

As per protocol, people arriving in Maharashtra from coronavirus-affected regions are being put under home quarantine, regardless of if they are displaying symptoms, while their samples are sent for tests.

When arriving at hospitals or airports in the region, these individuals will now have their left palms stamped with their dates of isolation with ink that lasts for 14 days.

“People who have been advised to self-quarantine will be stamped, like during elections, on their hand mentioning that the date — until when they should be indoors,” public health minister Rajesh Tope added.

“If such people go out, others can identify them as home quarantine patients. This is being done so that patients strictly observe home quarantine.”

Mr Thackeray also urged quarantine patients to remain in hospital after police reported three men suspected of carrying coronavirus had attempted to run away from a facility in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district.

“We have given instructions to treat them kindly,” Mr Thackeray said. “There should be no social boycott of such people.”

Mr Tope added: “Apart from educating them, we will also provide them facilities such tea, breakfast, meal and entertainment material, including TV and newspaper, so that they can feel comfortable to stay in hospital.”

In a separate decision, the state declared it a punishable offence for attempting to evade or break quarantine, adding it would forcibly relocate such individuals to a government isolation facility.

All upcoming local bodies and civic elections within Maharashtra have been postponed by three months, while schools have been closed and all university exams postponed.

To date, India has recorded 126 cases of infection and three deaths.