Kolkata Covid-19
Kolkata airport terminal. Credit: Paul Hamilton.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in the Indian city of Kolkata has converted a part of its old terminal into a Covid-19 quarantine centre as it gradually resumes operations.

According to local publication The Telegraph India, the quarantine centre will feature around 400 beds. As part of the initiative, washrooms were also upgraded with shower cubicles.

The move comes at a time when several international flights are scheduled to land in Kolkata as the government increases its efforts to bring back its citizens that are stuck abroad due to Covid-19-related restrictions and lockdowns.

All international passengers are mandated to undergo a 14-day institutional quarantine after they land in India, including a paid quarantine of seven days followed by a home isolation for the same number of days.

The quarantine facility at the Kolkata airport will host passengers who cannot afford paid quarantine.

Airport director Kaushik Bhattacharya was quoted by the publication as saying: “The state government had requested for space to set up a quarantine centre. We are in the process of handing over the facility to the state government.”

The Kolkata airport is set to resume domestic flight operations this week. However, domestic passengers are not required to be quarantined unless they exhibit symptoms.

A state government official told the Telegraph India that the quarantine centre will operate for around two months, a time period which can be extended based on the requirement.