Mary Kom Reportedly Breaks Coronavirus Quarantine Protocol, Attends President's Breakfast

After Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor's incident in which she concealed her travel history and attended parties before testing positive for coronavirus, another report has emerged that Mary Kom, India's ace boxer has allegedly broken quarantine rules enforced for the coronavirus pandemic. In photos shared by the President of India social handle, Ram Nath Kovind hosted a breakfast for many prominent personalities and Mary Kom was among them. In one of the four pictures tweeted by the official Twitter handle of President of India, Mary Kom can be seen with other Members of Parliament. "President Kovind hosted Members of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for breakfast at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning," the tweet said.

In a report on IANS, boxing coach Santiago Nieva said that the members of the Indian boxing contingent, who participated in Jordan, are all under the mandatory 14-day quarantine. "10 days we had planned but now it becomes 14 days. So after 10 days I am working on a training programme which I will send them. After this period they can start on that. If this is not solved within two weeks then we will have to continue like this as best as we can," Nieva said.

Mary Kom admitted that she attended the President's event and in a statement, she said, "I am home since I came back from Jordan. I only attended the President's event and did not meet Dushyant or shake hands with. My quarantine after Jordan ends but I'm going to be at home only for the next 3-4 days."

MC Mary Kom attended the President's breakfast on March 18. (Image credit: President of India Twitter)

Mary Kom had self-isolated at her Delhi residence since returning from March's Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jordan where she booked herself a second Olympic berth. The precautionary measure was necessitated by a training trip to Italy before landing in Jordan even though the entire Indian team got COVID-19 negative certificates from the IOC.

Forced Slowdown

Mary Kom says the forced slowdown of life as usual has also redefined the meaning of freedom for her. Mary Kom has self-isolated at her Delhi residence since returning from this month's Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Jordan where she booked herself a second Olympic berth. The precautionary measure was necessitated by a training trip to Italy before landing in Jordan even though the entire Indian team got COVID-19 negative certificates from the IOC.

"I am chilling, doing my exercises, taking care of my fitness and playing with my children after being away from them for almost one month," Mary Kom told PTI in an interview. "That's the best part of this isolation, I am with my family through the day without having to think of anything. My appeal to everyone is don't panic, try and stay at home if you can and spend time with your family," she said. "In my case, I have felt a sense of freedom with this isolation. I have realised that I am not feeling the stress of a daily schedule right now."

The six-time world champion is also a sitting Rajya Sabha MP. Does she miss not being in Parliament when it is in session, given that she is among the most regular MPs? "I hope to attend the last few days of the session. My isolation is till end of this month. Parliament will function for a few more days after that," she said referring to the schedule of the ongoing budget session which runs till April 3. "Right now, all I know is that my children are very happy. For 10-15 days, they have got their mom and that too without any interruption," she quipped.

Relaxed she might be at home but Mary Kom said she understands the fear of the virus outbreak, which has killed more than 11,000 people globally.

Also Read | Mary Kom 'Finds Freedom' In Self-Isolation Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

In India four have died so far and the number of positive cases stands at more than 190 now. "My children, out of innocence, ask me, 'mama this virus will stay na?' They are happy being at home playing and missing school but I know how serious it is. It is a scary situation and I hope everyone follows the health guidelines. It is crucial that everyone does," she said. "That's the only way we can save ourselves. Everyone has to be careful," she added. "The precautions that I am taking include not giving appointments to anyone right now," she further stated.

RELATED