Beijing and Hong Kong have stepped up quarantine measures in the face of a second wave of infection, fuelled by incoming citizens and visitors, and threatening to undo previous efforts.
COVID-19 cases reported in China and Hong Kong recently were mostly imported, with the number of domestic cases in the mainland dropping to zero for the first time since the virus emerged last December.
All arrivals in Beijing are required self-isolate for 14 days in a designated hotel, while those in Hong Kong must undergo a 14-day self-isolation at home followed by two weeks of medical surveillance.
“The purpose of self-isolation is for individuals who may be infectious to reduce risk to others by minimising contact with others – for example, travellers from affected areas,” said Assistant Professor Clarence Tam.
The standard 14 days of quarantine is based on the disease’s average incubation period of five days.
“An individual who hasn’t developed symptoms by the 14th day of quarantine has a very low probability of being infected or posing an infection risk to others,” said Dr Tam.
Media coverage:
- As Beijing, Hong Kong face second coronavirus onslaught, quarantine gets serious, South China Morning Post, 19 March 2020
- 2nd coronavirus onslaught? China gets serious again as citizens, visitors come from overseas, The Korea Times, 19 March 2020
- Quarantine curbs raised amid second virus wave, South China Morning Post (Print), 20 march 2020