COVID-19 ‘close contacts’ should finish 10-day quarantine, says DHA

COVID-19 ‘close contacts’ should finish 10-day quarantine, says DHA

Photo has been used for illustrative purposes. Dr Al Awadhi also highlighted important practices that close contacts must avoid to protect themselves and others and prevent the spread of COVID-19. 1. Not completing the 10-day quarantine period: Dr Al Awadhi said that close contacts MUST complete the 10-day quarantine period even if they do not develop any symptoms and even if they receive a negative PCR test. "The quarantine period is set as 10 days because latest studies have found that this is the incubation period of the virus. Even if close contacts don't have any symptoms they can still be infectious and infect others, which is why it is mandatory to complete the 10-day quarantine period," Dr Al Awadhi explained. She added that after completing the 10-day period, there is no need to undergo a PCR test if there are no symptoms. If any symptoms appear during the quarantine period, close contacts must get a PCR test done. If the test result is positive, they must follow home isolation or institutional isolation procedures. If the test result is negative, the close contact must STILL complete the 10-day quarantine period," she said. 2. Not disclosing that you're a close contact: