European nations ‘need to quarantine’
THE European director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned national governments against reducing the quarantine period for people potentially exposed to coronavirus.
Dr Hans Kluge acknowledged Covid-19 “fatigue” is setting in, with growing public resistance to the measures, but said “even a slight reduction in the length of the quarantine” could have a significant effect on the spread of the virus.
He said coronavirus has returned to “alarming rates of transmission” in Europe this month.
Dr Kluge insisted countries should only reduce the standard two-week quarantine period if it is scientifically justified.
He offered to convene scientific discussions on the issue, if at all necessary.
WHO Europe’s 53-country region has recorded more than 300,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the last week and more than half of the countries reported a rise of more than 10% in cases over the last two weeks, he said.
Of those countries, seven had their cases jump by more than twofold.
Such statistics should be “a wakeup call for all of us”, Dr Kluge said.
He called for “regional coherence” and said Europe’s response has been effective when “prompt and resolute”.
Dr Kluge added: “But the virus has shown (to be) merciless when
ever partisanship and disinformation prevailed.”
Last week, France cut its required quarantine time for people possibly exposed to someone with Covid-19 from 14 days to seven, saying many people do not observe the full twoweek period anyway.
Katie Smallwood, WHO Europe’s senior health emergency officer, said its recommendation that people quarantine themselves for 14 days after a possible exposure is based on the agency’s understanding of the disease’s incubation period and transmission patterns.
“We would only revise that on a basis of a change in our understanding of the science, and so far that’s not the case,” she said.
Ms Smallwood added several countries are considering reducing their required quarantine periods, a move that is not endorsed by WHO.
“We would really re-emphasise that our position is that a 14-day quarantine is important for patients that have been exposed to the virus,” she said.
The two WHO Europe officials both wore masks during the video conference from Copenhagen.
Dr Kluge said his decision to wear a mask is “a clear signal that we are going into a worsening situation”.
“At the moment ... we see a fatigue and resistance in the behaviour that is helpful” in fighting the virus,” he explained. “It’s very important to give a signal, and certainly it’s a strong sign of solidarity.”