Quarantine refers to the separation and movement of well persons who may have been exposed to an infectious agent and may be infected but are not yet ill. Quarantine usually occurs in the home but can also in a dedicated facility or hospital

The Quarantine System was developed during the SARS outbreak and the same requirements will also be operational during an influenza pandemic.

In an Influenza Pandemic, discharged cases will not be quarantined because they will only be discharged when immunofluorescence shows they are no longer shedding virus.

Contacts of cases, however, will be placed on HQO for 5 days from Alert YELLOW onwards. HQO for contacts will be continued in Alert ORANGE so long as it is operationally feasible but will be discontinued in Alert RED.

Home Quarantine Orders

The Infectious Diseases Act (Chapter 137) (IDA) gives MOH the authority to compel mandatory home quarantine. Home Quarantine Orders (HQO) are issue under section 15(2) of the IDA.

Currently, the flu pandemic is not included in the Fifth and Sixth Schedule of the IDA which deals with ‘Certain persons not to act in manner likely to spread disease’ and the ‘Disclosure of information to prevent spread of infectious disease’ respectively. It will need to be gazetted when required.

Alternative Quarantine Accommodation

In the event a subject under HQO chooses not to serve the duration of the HQO at his/her residence, alternative quarantine accommodation, similar to those provided for SARS, is available.