New Delhi, May 9 -- As Indians stranded abroad start returning to India, the Centre on Friday allowed conversion of hotels, service apartments, guest houses and lodges across the country into paid quarantine/isolation facilities with mandatory medical amenities, including wi-fi for such evacuees.

"There are a large number of facilities such as hotels, service apartments, lodges which remain unoccupied due to impact of Covid-19 on travel and tourism.

"There are also instances where people who don't have requisite space at home may opt for such facilities. This is likely to reduce the pressure on the family, give comfort to the person, and protect the family members and immediate neighbourhood," said the guidelines issued by the Union Hea...