Advisory panel suggests cutting Covid isolation to 10 days
It also says quarantine for Covid contacts was not necessary
File photo: People are seen in a crowded area in Gulistan of Dhaka, Sunday, June 20, 2021 Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka tribune
Tribune Desk
Publish : 20 Jan 2022, 11:22 AMUpdate : 20 Jan 2022, 11:22 AM
The National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 has suggested the self-isolation period for people showing symptoms of the disease be shortened to 10 days from two weeks.
Moreover, the panel said people do not need to stay quarantined even after having been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient if they are symptom-free.
The committee made the recommendations in a meeting on Wednesday, amid an ongoing surge in coronavirus cases.
Since the start of the pandemic in Bangladesh in early 2020, the panel had been recommending 14 days’ isolation for Covid-19 patients and quarantine for close contacts.
“Those who have been in contact with Covid-19 patients need not isolate themselves, but they must wear tight-fit masks,” read a press release signed by Prof Mohammad Shahidullah, president of the committee.
The panel also asked the health directorate to increase monitoring and ensure that hygiene rules are followed at all entry points of the country.
It also recommended the administration work closely with associations of transport, shop and restaurant owners to see to it that everyone abides by the 11-point directive recently imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Advisory panel suggests cutting Covid isolation to 10 days
It also says quarantine for Covid contacts was not necessary
The National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 has suggested the self-isolation period for people showing symptoms of the disease be shortened to 10 days from two weeks.
Moreover, the panel said people do not need to stay quarantined even after having been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient if they are symptom-free.
The committee made the recommendations in a meeting on Wednesday, amid an ongoing surge in coronavirus cases.
Since the start of the pandemic in Bangladesh in early 2020, the panel had been recommending 14 days’ isolation for Covid-19 patients and quarantine for close contacts.
“Those who have been in contact with Covid-19 patients need not isolate themselves, but they must wear tight-fit masks,” read a press release signed by Prof Mohammad Shahidullah, president of the committee.
The panel also asked the health directorate to increase monitoring and ensure that hygiene rules are followed at all entry points of the country.
It also recommended the administration work closely with associations of transport, shop and restaurant owners to see to it that everyone abides by the 11-point directive recently imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.