On Friday, 24 December, The Department of Health made an announcement that all quarantine is to be stopped. Especially in the case when someone came into contact with another who tested positive for Covid-19.
The effects of quarantine have become too costly
The main reason why the department has decided to put a stop to mandatory quarantining is because of the costs involved.
“Quarantine has been costly to essential services and society as many people stay away from their work and thus lose their income and children miss on their schooling,” the department stated.
And the department’s decision applies to vaccinated as well as unvaccinated people.
“All quarantine is to be stopped with immediate effect.
“This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated contacts.”
The department has also decided that no testing for Covid-19 is required “irrespective of the risk exposure unless the contact becomes symptomatic“.
SAMA supports the department’s decision
According to the South African Medical Research Council (SAMA), their members supports the decision made by the Department of Health.
“We welcome the Department of Health’s decision that compulsory quarantine is not necessary anymore for people coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19,” says SAMA spokesperson Dr Angelique Coetzee.
Coetzee still urges citizens to follow all “non-pharmaceutical safety measures”.
“It brings it back to the simple measures of wearing your mask, keeping a 1.5-metre distance between yourself and other people, particularly if you don’t know if they have been vaccinated.”
And she added that the biggest risk is non-vaccinated people since they spread the virus faster – especially if they do not wear a mask.
“Always remember that vaccinated people only spread the virus on a 1/3 average. However. unvaccinated people will spread the virus at 100% especially if they don’t wear masks.”
