If you have travelled abroad or are in contact with someone who either has Covid-19, or could be a carrier, you may be quarantined or asked to self-isolate. Authorities said both strategies are used to take care of patients and their contacts in order to protect healthy people in the community. But what do they mean? You may be isolated if you are sick, or at risk of being infected. It means you will be separated from the rest of society to prevent the virus from spreading. You may also be asked to self-isolate, in other words stay at home and avoid contact with others, if you have been in touch with someone who could be a carrier. In this case isolation would end when it is confirmed the person does not have the virus. In a quarantine, people who could have been exposed to the disease, but do not have a confirmed diagnosis, are asked to remain in a specified area. This helps to ensure they do not spread the disease further if they have it. You could either be quarantined at home, in hospital, or in a private facility, according to the Ministry of Health and Prevention in the UAE (Mohap). For example, dozens of evacuees from the epicentre of the outbreak in Wuhan are currently under quarantine in Emirates Humanitarian City, which was built to accommodate people coming from Covid-19-hit areas abroad. The 215 students – from countries that include Syria, Iraq, Mauritania, Sudan, Brazil, Egypt, Yemen and Jordan – were flown to the UAE capital in a plane equipped with medical facilities recently as part of a humanitarian mission. Although they tested clear of the virus before departure, they are undergoing regular medical check-ups to ensure they remain free of Covid-19. They will be quarantined for 14 days, according to state news agency Wam . “Healthcare providers are responsible for choosing the best place for people who are subject to quarantine,” it said. Being under quarantine does not involve total isolation, but it does mean people must restrict their movements. In countries battling outbreaks of Covid-19, towns, cities and even whole provinces have been placed under quarantine, preventing people from coming or going, to combat the spread of the virus. “Individuals are provided with all their needs of food and personal belongings. Family members and friends will help them in carrying out daily tasks while taking into consideration preventative measures to prevent the spread of infection,” said Mohap. People under quarantine are supervised by medical professionals. It is not all bad news though. “The positive aspect of such [an] experience is having enough time to meditate, read, watch movies and practice hobbies,” said Mohap. It is impossible to know whether you will be quarantined, so it is best to prepare for the possibility, just in case. Experts say you can do that by building a two week supply of non-perishable food items, which should include long-life alternatives to fresh products, such as powdered or UHT milk and tinned fruit and vegetables. Other must-haves include tissues, antibacterial wipes and latex gloves and a medical kit. The kit should include a thermometer and paracetamol. Be sure to include enough medication, if you take any, to last a couple of weeks. A two-week supply of toilet paper is also necessary, but there is no need to stockpile hundreds of rolls as people have done in some Covid-19-hit countries. An extra packet should do the trick. The ministry said people who have been quarantined or isolated for a period of time do not pose a threat to others, especially once it is confirmed they are free of infection.
