The Da Nang government recently made adjustments to home quarantine requirements defined in the COVID-19 regulations dated October 27 issued by the municipal Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

In order to successfully self-quarantine, a person requires access to a separate room in a separate home or flat with minimum usable floor area of 15 square metres per person where the person should self-isolate.

A warning sign which has yellow letters on a red background must be displayed in the front of the place where the person is self-isolating in order inform others stay away from such property. An appropriate disposal of healthcare waste must be available for healthcare workers who visit to conduct check-ups and COVID-19 testing.

People who are required to self-quarantine or self-isolate, should be given the following advice:

+ Stay in a separate room away from other people in your home and ensure it is well-ventilated and ideally has a window you can open.

+ Room type air conditioning unit is recommended

+ Central ventilation system is not feasible

+ Use a separate bathroom and it should be cleaned regularly

+ Protect yourself and the people you live with by cleaning your hands frequently throughout the day

+ Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds

+ Alternatively, use alcohol-based hand sanitiser applied to clean hands

+ A surveillance camera should be installed in self-isolation room and a personal thermometer should be available for you.

+ Use a household cleaner that’s active against viruses and bacteria to clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Common household products like detergents and bleach are effective for this.

Ask the people you live with to help by bringing your meals to your door, helping with cleaning and by giving you space.

Other members in your home must wear surgical masks and other personal protective equipment for infection control such as medical gloves, goggles and more when they are forced to come into close contact with you.

It is strictly forbidden to bring belongings of the quarantined person out of the isolation area.

Authorities at local level must keep a close watch on persons who are required to self-isolate at home to make sure that they are sticking to the city’s COVID-19 guidelines or face tough penalties for non-compliance. In addition, the heed must be paid on providing timely medical treatment for infected patients in a bid to prevent cross-transmission in local areas and prevent the spread of the virus in the community.

Reporting by PHAN CHUNG – Translating by H.L