No more routine quarantine for potential COVID exposure

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is advising the public that there is no more routine quarantine for persons who are potentially exposed to COVID-19.

Since the start of the pandemic, quarantine, along with other related measures such as case identification, contact tracing and isolation, have been standard procedure to assist in the control of COVID. However, since the inception of Omicron, the practice of routine quarantine has not been utilised nor advised.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Anton Best has explained that due to the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant, plus its reduced virulence (or disease severity), routine quarantine would not have been manageable by the public health officials at the polyclinics. He said it would also have been too disruptive.

Dr Best also explained that due to the suite of mitigation strategies, such as physical distancing, hand hygiene and mask wearing, the absence of routine quarantine would not be detrimental to the success of the national response to COVID-19.

Quarantining will only be required in select circumstances, such as in the case of unvaccinated travellers arriving in Barbados. Those who must quarantine, must do so for three complete days and exit quarantine on receipt of negative COVID-19 PCR test results on the fourth day.

Health officials are encouraging individuals who share homes with positive persons to use all measures, such as physical distancing, masking, sanitising and good ventilation to reduce the risk of others in the home getting COVID.

If the infected person is an individual who requires regular care, such as a young child or an elderly person, then in such circumstances the caregiver will need to quarantine under the guidance of public health officials, according to the Ministry of Health.

Persons in the workplace who have become exposed are not required to quarantine. They are advised to get a Rapid Antigen Test on becoming aware of their exposure and then follow up with a PCR Test after three days have passed to confirm they are negative.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness advises against routine closures and industrial cleanings after possible COVID exposure, whether from an employee or client. Strict adherence to prevention protocols at the workplace are highly recommended.

The Ministry said it will continue to closely monitor the COVID situation and make recommendations for changes in protocols and control measures as trends change and as required. (BGIS)