Coronavirus: Gulf returnee jumps quarantine, chased, caught and shifted to Kerala hospital (Watch)

The health workers wearing the full personal protection equipment (PPE) gear tied the hands and legs of the Kerala man, allegedly drunk, using bandage cloth, put him on a stretcher and shifted him to a hospital in an ambulance

Pathanamthitta: A Gulf returnee was chased and overpowered by health officials in protective gear and police in a busy market area in Kerala's Pathanamthitta on Monday (July 6) after he allegedly turned violent on being questioned about loitering without wearing a mask, as a video of it went viral.

The health workers wearing the full personal protection equipment (PPE) gear tied the hands and legs of the man, allegedly drunk, using bandage cloth, put him on a stretcher and shifted him to a hospital in an ambulance.

The incident occurred at the St Peter's junction in the town when the man, supposed to be in home quarantine, came to the market area in a two-wheeler and created a scene after being questioned by police.

Police said a case under relevant section of Indian Penal Code (IPC), Kerala Epidemic Act and the Police Act has been registered against the man who had returned from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday and advised home quarantine.

Earlier, noticing the man moving around without the mask, police on patrol duty stopped him and learnt he had returned from the Gulf along with his wife.

Since he refused to go on quarantine and was violent, health officials were immediately informed, Pathnamthitta police said.

At least four health workers wearing the PPE overpowered him after a chase as he tried to escape, running across the busy road.

A video of the incident was widely shared on social media.

The area where the incident took place has been disinfected, police said.

As per the COVID-19 protocol, people returning from foreign countries and found to have no symptoms during screening have to remain under home quarantine for 14 days.

(With inputs from PTI)