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Published 22:06 IST, May 26th 2020

Direct hotels to charge foreign returnees only for 7 days & refund balance: MHA to states

MHA has written to states directing them to ensure that hotels refund the amount of remaining seven days charged in advance to the quarantined foreign returnees

Reported by: Jitesh Vachhatani
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The Ministry of Home Affairs has written to states across the country to ensure that the earmarked hotels refund the amount of remaining 7 days charged in advance to the foreign returnees who have been quarantined. In a letter to all Chief Secretaries, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla apprised the states that hotels have been charging Indian nationals with 14-day advance payments for quarantine facilities. However, as per revised guidelines issued by the Health Ministry, foreign returnees are to be in institutional quarantine for 7 days followed by 7 days of home quarantine after medical assessment. Hence, individuals need not be charged for the complete 14 days. 

"You are requested to issue necessary directions to hotels earmarked for institutional quarantine to ensure that foreign returnees who were quarantined in hotels and paid an advance of 14 days, shall be refunded their balance amount, without any delay," Home Secy Ajay Bhalla wrote to Chief Secretaries. 

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Updated 22:06 IST, May 26th 2020