Several countries to be added to quarantine list from September 12
Category: Health and Medical
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
09/10/2020 (United Kingdom) - UK officials have announced that arrivals from several countries are to be required to self-isolate for a period of 14-days from 04:00 (local time) on Saturday, September 12, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Authorities in England have added mainland Portugal, and French Polynesia to the quarantine list, while in Wales, arrivals from Hungary and the French island of RĂ©union must also self-isolate. Meanwhile, England and Wales have added Sweden to the list of countries exempt from quarantine measures.
Previously, on Monday, September 7, the UK government removed the Geek islands of Crete, Lesvos, Mykonos, Santorini, Serifos, Tinos, and Zakynthos from the list of places from where travelers arriving into England will not be required to self-isolate for 14 days. The rest of Greece remains on the exemption list. Scotland already requires all travelers from Greece to quarantine, whilst Wales does so from certain islands. Further information regarding travel restrictions can be found here for England, Scotland, and Wales.
Many restrictions have been lifted in the UK. The wearing of face masks is mandatory in certain public areas, with fines for repeat offenders rising up to 3200 GBP (4175 USD). Further information regarding the wearing of face masks in the UK can be found here.
As of Thursday, September 10, there have been 360,533 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK with 41,697 associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected in the near term.
Context
The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, or a rash on the skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.
Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.
To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:
* Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
* When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
* If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
Copyright © 2024 Drum Cussac
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