We reported earlier the World Health Organization’s warning that a “very serious situation” is emerging in Europe.
The WHO also repeated that the 14-day quarantine period for anyone exposed to coronavirus should not be changed.
The recommendation is based on a scientific understanding of the virus’s incubation period and tranmission, the WHO Europe senior emergency officer Catherine Smallwood said on Thursday.
Quarantine periods vary according to country. In France people who have been exposed are told to self-isolate for seven days, but in the UK and Ireland the suggested time is 10 days. Portugal and Croatia are currently considering reducing their recommended quarantine.
“Knowing the immense individual and societal impact even a slight reduction in the length of quarantine can have… I encourage countries of the region to make scientific due process with their experts and explore safe reduction options,” the WHO Europe director Hans Kluge explained.
