Police find it hard to tackle foreigners booked for symptoms

Hailing from countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Thailand, these men had reportedly attended the Delhi conference before lockdown and had been roaming across TN. Police said a good number of them have been remanded and placed in quarantine jails after they tested negative while others are undergoing tests. Those who tested positive are now at hospitals and those who tested negative have been remanded to quarantined jails. But, a few others who are awaiting results are in quarantine facilities outside and are a cause of headache for the police.

“There are risks involved in transporting and escorting foreigners whose test results are awaited. We have been told to take enough precautions,” a police officer said. “Our staff are finding it difficult to handle them as they are not sure if the accused are carriers of the virus,” he added. At least 21 foreigners have been arrested in Chennai. The remaining in custody include 11 in Salem, 8 Madurai, 10 in Kancheepuram besides Erode, Nagapattinam and other districts.