Philippines reverts to 14-day quarantine for fully vaccinated close contacts

By Prince Golez

The national government has suspended the shortened quarantine period of fully-vaccinated close contacts of Covid-19-infected individuals, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government Covid-19 task force temporarily suspended the protocol that allowed for a shortened quarantine period for close contacts of probable and confirmed Covid-19 cases who are fully vaccinated.

Under the said protocol, fully vaccinated individuals may undergo a shortened 7-day quarantine period, provided they remain asymptomatic throughout.

“The decision to temporarily suspend said protocol is part of the continued implementation of proactive measures to slow down the surge in Covid-19 cases and to stop the further spread of the variants,” said Roque.

With the suspension, the secretary said all contacts of probable and confirmed cases and travelers will be placed under a 14-day quarantine period pursuant to Department of Health Department Memorandum No. 2020-0512, or the Revised Interim Omnibus Guidelines on the Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment, and Reintegration Strategies for Covid-19, issued on November 26, 2020.

“Close contacts who remain asymptomatic for at least 14 days from the date of exposure can discontinue their quarantine. In the event that they develop symptoms or test positive for coronavirus, they shall be isolated and shall be admitted and treated in an appropriate facility,” he added.

The DOH memorandum defines close contacts as having exposure during the two days before and the 14 days after the onset of symptoms of the probable or confirmed case through the following: face-to-face contact within one meter and for at least 15 minutes, direct physical contact, direct care for a patient without using personal protective equipment, or other situations as indicated by local risk assessments.

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Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)