Pathanamthitta: A Gulf returnee, who stepped out violating the quarantine rules, was chased down by the police and healthcare personnel near St Peter's Junction in Pathanamthitta on Monday afternoon.

The police questioned him after noticing that he was not wearing the mask properly. He then told them that he had returned from Dubai three days ago and was under observation at home.

The healthcare personnel, then wearing PPE kit, tried to detain him.

But the person tried to flee. The health workers later 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.

He was admitted to the Kozhencherry hospital. It is not clear if he had travelled to other areas.

Police said a case under section IPC 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease danger to life), under the Kerala Epidemic Actand the Police Act has been registered against the man.

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

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

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.