Nghe An issues instructions for home quarantine to prevent and control Covid-19 epidemic

On November 29, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued guidelines for home quarantine to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic. Accordingly, cases subject to home quarantine include F1s who have received at least 1 dose of Covid-19 vaccine or are unable to take care of their own health, the elderly over 60 years old, with underlying medical conditions, children (under 18 years old), pregnant women, disabled people, etc.; People traveling from epidemic areas (very high-risk areas (level 4) or medical quarantine areas and other high-risk areas according to regulations of the Provincial Covid-19 Prevention and Control Command Center. (Currently applied to 4 localities: Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Long An).

In addition, home quarantine also applies to those who volunteer to quarantine together to care for and support subjects subject to centralized medical quarantine but are unable to take care of their own health (elderly people over 60 years old, with underlying medical conditions, children (under 18 years old), pregnant women, disabled people, ...); People in the same family, people living and working in the same house, in the same residential area (voluntarily quarantine together at a location that ensures sufficient conditions according to regulations).

Houses with people in quarantine must have a notice sign. Photo: TH

However, cases of home quarantine according to this guideline must ensure 3 conditions including: Having sufficient facilities and commitment to implementation by themselves and people living in the same house; Having the first negative test result for SARS-CoV-2 (in case of F1, it must be performed by Realtime RT-PCR method); Having sufficient cognitive ability and behavioral control to absolutely comply with the "5K" principle of the Ministry of Health and the regulations in this guideline.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, ward or town decides to quarantine and end home quarantine after assessing the correct subjects, having sufficient conditions in terms of facilities, equipment... to ensure medical quarantine at home.

Regarding quarantine period, for F1 and those returning from epidemic areas but not yet vaccinated, they will be quarantined at home for at least 14 consecutive days from the date of quarantine, and continue to self-monitor their health at home for the next 14 days for the group subjects.

People returning from epidemic areas (level 4), who have been fully vaccinated or F0 who have recovered from the disease will be quarantined at home or their place of residence for at least 7 days from the date of return to their locality; continue to self-monitor their health for the next 7 days.

In addition, the People's Committee of Nghe An province also requires that the quarantine location must be a private house; an apartment in a collective housing area or apartment building where the person in medical quarantine has registered permanent or temporary residence. In front of the house, there is a red background, yellow lettering warning sign: "MEDICAL QUARANTINE LOCATION FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF COVID-19 EPIDEMIC" measuring 30x40 cm; there is a yellow bin with an infectious waste symbol labeled "WASTE WITH THE RISK OF CONTAINING SARS-CoV-2" to store personal protective equipment discarded by medical staff. There must be a separate, closed quarantine room separate from the family's common living area. If the house has many floors or many separate blocks, use a separate floor or block to carry out medical quarantine.

It is recommended to install cameras to monitor people in quarantine. The quarantine room/floor/separate house must meet the following requirements: There must be a separate toilet and bathroom, with enough personal hygiene items, hand soap, clean water, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. There must be a personal thermometer in the room.

In the isolation room, there is a yellow waste bin with a lid, opened by a foot pedal, lined with a yellow bag to contain waste including masks, towels, and tissues, labeled "WASTE WITH A RISK OF CONTAINING SARSCoV-2". Do not use central air conditioning, you can use a separate air conditioner; Ensure ventilation, it is best to open the windows regularly. Eating utensils (bowls, chopsticks, cups, glasses, ...) are used separately and must be washed by the person in isolation or the caregiver. There is a washing machine or bucket, basin for clothes for the person in isolation or the caregiver to wash directly. There is a broom, mop, rag, 2 buckets and disinfectant solution or regular detergent for the person in isolation or the caregiver to clean and disinfect the room themselves. The isolation room must be cleaned and disinfected daily.

Must be fully equipped with personal protective equipment to prevent and control infection (medical masks, medical gloves, shoes, goggles, pants, shirts) for family members to use when having to come into close contact with the quarantined person. Arrange a table in front of the quarantine room door to provide separate meals, drinking water and other necessities for the quarantined person. Do not take the quarantined person's belongings out of the house.

For people in home quarantine, the Provincial People's Committee requires strict compliance with regulations on home quarantine time, with a commitment to the local authorities. Do not contact with people in the same house, do not leave the house, follow the "5K" message and must fully record all contact points during the quarantine period... Those who do not follow the instructions will be handled according to regulations. In cases where the epidemic spreads to the community, they will be prosecuted according to the law.

For people living in the same house, do not let the elderly or people with underlying diseases needing medical care stay in the same house with the quarantined person. Do not contact with the quarantined person, limit going out when not necessary. If the person in medical quarantine is a child or an elderly or weak person, has an underlying disease, or is a pregnant woman who needs care or support, it is allowed to arrange for a caretaker or support person to be quarantined together and ensure epidemic prevention and control measures. Immediately notify medical staff when the quarantined person leaves the house without permission or has suspected symptoms of the disease such as cough, fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing...