Department of Health (DOH) releases guidelines on what to do during self or home quarantine to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Who needs to undergo self-quarantine?
- Those who believe they have been exposed to the coronavirus should undergo a 14-day self-quarantine, the Department of Health has advised the public.
- Those who have no symptoms of respiratory illness or no exposure to the virus but have a travel history to areas which have issued travel restrictions or a high and escalating number of COVID-19 cases.
DOH Guidelines for Home Quarantine
Here’s how to do it, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire:
- You need to isolate yourself.
- Separate your eating utensils like a spoon, plate, and your drinking glass from those of others.
- As much as possible, interaction with other family members should be avoided or limited.
- If interaction cannot be avoided, wear a mask, and maintain minimal interaction.
- If you don’t have a separate room, use a mask, especially if you are symptomatic.
Government Officials on Quarantine
An increasing number of government officials have submitted themselves to self-quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19 positive individuals and recent travel to countries with cases of coronavirus.
Mayor Isko Moreno said he would stay in Manila City for self-quarantine following his travel to the United Kingdom.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Nancy Binay at Panfilo Lacson, Imee Marcos, Francis Tolentino, and Juan Miguel Zubiri are also under quarantine after a resource person in a Senate hearing tested positive of the virus.
Presidential daughter and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is also home quarantined after one of her staff was identified as a person under monitoring.
Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Education secretary Leonor Briones, central bank Governor Benjamin Diokno, and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea were also put to quarantine.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go were tested for the COVID-19 yesterday.