Quarantine no longer mandatory for close contacts starting tomorrow

 

The Health Ministry has announced that quarantine of all Covid-19 close contacts is no longer mandatory, starting tomorrow.

However, those who display Covid-19 symptoms are still “encouraged” to undergo self-quarantine and conduct a self-test on day one and day three upon displaying symptoms.

The ministry added that symptomatic close contacts may end their quarantine if the test result is negative and their symptoms have improved, but should still practice preventative measures.

There are no recommendations for testing or quarantine for close contacts who do not have symptoms.

However, they too must practice preventive measures for five days from their last exposure to a Covid-19 patient.

According to an infographic issued by the MOH, such measures include always wearing a mask when going outside of their house, avoiding crowded places, and avoiding visits to “high-risk” groups.

Close contacts should also ensure good ventilation in their surroundings and limit themselves to essential travel only.

Last week, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that asymptomatic individuals irrespective of vaccination status are exempted from quarantine.

Until the new rule comes into effect, however, quarantine is still mandatory for close contact who do have symptoms. The duration of the mandatory quarantine depends on the close contact’s vaccination status. - Mkini