The government’s pandemic task force has approved the shortened quarantine days for healthcare workers who were already fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Acting Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles made the announcement on Friday, Jan. 7, during a media briefing.
“Hospital infection, prevention and control committees shall be authorized to implement shortened quarantine protocols of five days for their fully vaccinated healthcare workers consistent with healthcare capacity needs and individualized risk assessment,” he said.
"In extreme circumstances and upon weighing the risks and benefits, hospital infection, prevention and control committees are also authorized to implement shortened isolation protocols for their COVID-19 confirmed fully vaccinated healthcare workers," he added.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) also issued a circular detailing this shift in policy. The DOH defined quarantine as “separation and movement restrictions of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick,” while isolation refers to “the separation of ill or infected persons from others to prevent the spread of infection or contamination.”
Also, “provincial health officers, in coordination with their provincial hospital infection, prevention and control committees, are likewise given authorization to shorten quarantine and isolation periods for critical healthcare workers for COVID-19 response such as swabbers and vaccinators,” the agency stated in its Department Circular No. 2022-0002.
Home quarantine, isolation
The Interagency Task Force also approved home isolation for “COVID-19 confirmed individuals with asymptomatic, mild, or moderate disease, and home quarantine for close contacts of suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 cases.”
The public may undergo quarantine or isolation at their respective homes provided there is a conducive space.
“Gusto rin po naming ipaalala na ang home quarantine or isolation ay pinapayagan po basta mayroon po kayong sariling kuwarto at sariling banyo sa inyong bahay at mababantayan po kayo ng inyong local government unit o ng inyong healthcare provider (We want to remind everyone that home quarantine or isolation is allowed as long as you have your own room and bathroom in your house, and you will be monitored by your local government unit or your healthcare provider),” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
“Kung kayo po ay positive at wala po kayong sariling kuwarto at banyo sa inyong bahay, kayo po ay dapat dalhin sa isang accredited isolation facility upang maiwasan pang makapanghawa sa loob ng inyong tahanan (If you are positive and you do not have your own room and bathroom in your house, you should be taken to an accredited isolation facility to prevent virus transmission in your home),” she added.
“Pinapayong mahigpit pa rin ang sundin ang minimum public health standards nang pagsusuot po ng face mask kahit po tayo nasa loob ng ating tahanan, gumawa ng physical distancing, mag-disinfect at ang paninigurong maayos po ang bentilasyon sa loob ng inyong tahanan (It is still advisable to strictly follow the minimum public health standards such as wearing a face mask even when we are inside our homes, do physical distancing, disinfect, and ensure proper ventilation),” she furthered.