COVID-19: Isolation to go from 7 to 5 days

The isolation period for Covid-infected individuals will be shortened from 7 days to 5 days by the Minister of Health’s Regulation which will enter into force on Monday, 7 February. Like before, the isolation period may still be extended if a doctor considers it necessary. From the same time, the requirement for quarantine or special precaution for those who have already had Covid will be lifted. The infection must have been confirmed by a PCR test that is more than 7 days old and not more than 180 days old.

Further details on isolation and its lifting

Persons who have a confirmed COVID-19 infection shall remain in isolation for 5 days following the diagnosis, provided they have no symptoms or minor symptoms. “Minor symptoms” means mild respiratory system symptoms and no fever (i.e. a temperature under 37.8°C), and that there has been no fever for at least the previous 24 hours before the isolation ends. The special precaution rules shall be followed for at least two days after the end of isolation.

The Regulation also applies to those who are in isolation when it enters into force. This means that the isolation period will end for those who have been in isolation for 5 or more days when the Regulation enters into force on 7 February. All persons whose isolation period is ending will receive a message to that effect from Heilsuvera and the isolation will only end with that message and no sooner.