People travelling to high-risk areas are being urged to be responsible and self-quarantine, as failing to do so might place vulnerable people at risk.
People travelling to particular countries are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days at home. Not everyone is following this advice, however.
Asked if people who ignore these recommendations could be undermining the efforts of the health authorities, Charmaine Gauci, the Superintendent of Public Health, appealed for responsibility.
The authorities are doing all they can to ensure containment of the Coronavirus. The media is also doing its part to inform the public. But people have an important part to play too, she said.
“Self quarantining is very important. People are today well aware of the risk to themselves and to others they might come in contact with, such as elderly people who might already be suffering from certain conditions. They should also not put their work colleagues at risk. Some people might be healthy and get through it but others with co-morbid conditions – such as heart disease or respiratory conditions – might be placed at greater risk,” Gauci said.
Those coming back from risk areas are urged to be responsible and do everything they can to avoid the spread of the virus.
Asked whether self-quarantine would remain voluntary and what was being done to ensure that these recommendations are followed, Gauci said the number of people who travelled to these countries was limited. In the case of Italy, these rules no longer apply since all flights to and from the country have now been stopped. People travelling to other risk countries, however, are urged to follow the recommendations.
These countries are: China, Singapore, Japan, Iran and North Korea.
Furthermore, people coming from countries where there is a local transmission of Coronavirus and who experience respiratory symptoms are urged to contact the health authorities for instructions.
These countries are: China (including Hong Kong), Republic of Korea, Japan , Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, The United Kingdom, Norway, Croatia, Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Denmark, Monaco, Thailand, Indonesia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon, Canada, United States of America, Ecuador, Algeria.
People who are suffering from an acute respiratory tract infection with sudden onset of cough, fever and shortness of breath and who have returned from these countries within the last 14 days should call their doctor or the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086.
They are advised to refrain from visiting doctors’ clinics, pharmacies, health centres or the casualty department in the first instance.