Considerations for quarantine of individuals in the context of containment for coronavirus disease (‎‎‎COVID-19)‎‎‎: interim guidance, 19 March 2020

On 30 January 2020, the WHO Director-General determined that the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As the outbreak continues to evolve, Member States are considering options to prevent introduction of the disease to new areas or to reduce human-to-human transmission in areas where the virus that causes COVID-19 is already circulating.

Public health measures to achieve these goals may include quarantine, which involves the restriction of movement, or separation from the rest of the population, of healthy persons who may have been exposed to the virus, with the objective of monitoring their symptoms and ensuring early detection of cases. Many countries have the legal authority to impose quarantine. Quarantine should be implemented only as part of a comprehensive package of public health response and containment measures and, in accordance with Article 3 of the International Health Regulations (2005), be fully respectful of the dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons.

The purpose of this document is to offer guidance to Member States on implementing quarantine measures for individuals in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak. It is intended for those who are responsible for establishing local or national policy for the quarantine of individuals and for ensuring adherence to infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

This document is informed by current knowledge of the COVID-19 outbreak and by considerations undertaken in response to other respiratory pathogens, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV and influenza viruses. WHO will continue to update these recommendations as new information becomes available.