Quarantine period of essential service personnel revised?

COLOMBO (News 1st): Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena has issued a new circular regarding the release of essential service workers, COVID-19 infected persons, and their close contacts from quarantine.

According to the circular, persons employed in patient-care management services, field health services related to COVID-19 surveillance, and other government recognized essential services can be released from home isolation to report to work after 10 days from the date of RAT/PCR positivity ( or from the date of onset of symptoms), IF they have improved from mild symptoms and were fever free for 48 hours without antipyretics.

Exit PCR or RAT is not required for such persons, the circular added.

All others who do not belong to the above category can be released from home isolation after 14 days from the date of the RAT/PCR positivity (or from the date of onset of symptoms), if they are improved from mild symptoms and were fever free for 48 hours without antipyretics.

Exit PCR or RAT is not required for such persons, the circular added.

In addition, Fully Vaccinated Close Contacts, employed in patient-care management services in hospitals, field health services related to COVID-19 surveillance in MOH officers can continue to work with serial RAT on days 3,7, and 10 with strict adherence to recommended infection prevention and control measures.

Fully vaccinated, close contacts in other essential services recognized by the government can be released from home quarantine to report to work after completion of 10 days with a negative RAT or PCR on day 10.

All close contact who do not belong to the aforementioned category can be released from home quarantine after 14 days, while an exit PCR or RAT will not be required if they remain asymptomatic.