MHA has asked the States to issue directions to refund quarantine charges of seven-days at hotel stay, as the period of institutional quarantine had been reduced from 14 days to seven days.

In a letter to all States, Union Home Secretary said, "It has been brought to the notice of this Ministry that Indian Nationals who were quarantined in hotels after their return from abroad were made to pay advance for 14 days. Since they can now leave for home quarantine after 7 days, the amount paid by them for the remaining 7 days needs to be refunded to them, which some hotels are refusing to refund."

MHA had issued revised guidelines on May 24 for international passengers arriving on special flights and naval ships as part of the Vande Bharat mission. The May 5 guidelines had said mandatory 14-days quarantine and States were asked to make arrangements.

As per the guidelines, the protocol for the mandatory institutional quarantine was revised to 7 days followed by 7-days home quarantine after medical assessment. The charges for the quarantine are to be borne by the passengers.

"You are requested to issue necessary directions to hotels earmarked/used for institutional Quarantine to ensure that foreign returnees who were quarantined in hotels and paid advance of 14 days shall be refunded their balance amount, without any delay", MHA said in a letter to States.