Just as we stepped into the fifth day of the countrywide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, social media was abuzz with the news of actor-politician Kamal Haasan being asked to quarantine himself by the Corporation of Chennai. 

However, it has come to light that this was a baseless rumour stemming from the confusion on the type of stickers used by the Government. Homes that have suspected cases of COVID-19 affected people are marked as "COVID-19/Do Not Visit/Home Under Quarantine". This is different from the 'self-isolation' sticker that says "We are in Home Quarantine to safeguard ourselves and Chennai from Corona", the type of which is put up outside Kamal Haasan's Chennai residence. To avoid such rumours, the Corporation Commissioner clarified that the sticker has been removed and added, "It could have been an error due to a wrong address." 

 Kamal Haasan released a press release shortly denying the rumours. He wrote, "Most of you know that I have not been living in my old house for the past few years and Makkal Needhi Maiam party office has been functioning from there. So, the news I have been quarantined is not true."

He added that he has undertaken voluntary social distancing and urged others to practise it too. He ended the statement asking news agencies to verify news before breaking it to the people. 

Incidentally, the legendary actor earlier offered to convert his house into a temporary hospital to treat the coronavirus-affected patients. He had also mentioned his plans to make the doctors associated with his party Makkal Needhi Maiam treat the patients in the facility once the government gives him an official clearance.