Covid-19: New SOP for isolation of close contacts next week, says Khairy

PUTRAJAYA: A new protocol on isolation for those who are in close contact with a Covid-19 positive patient will be issued next week, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

The Health Minister noted that under current circumstances, there were too many incidents of close contacts.

“When this happens and when many people become close contacts of a positive case, it will disrupt work processes and ultimately the economy will be affected.

“So we will announce a new standard operating procedure for close contacts next week,” he said on Thursday (Feb 17).

Khairy said that the Health director-general had issued a circular for healthcare workers under the ministry on the matter.

“For public healthcare workers, those who are catergorised as close contacts need not undergo isolation and will undergo tests on certain days instead.

“We may apply the same protocol for the public,” he added.

Khairy said the private healthcare sector can also adopt the same protocol on their workers who are Covid-19 close contacts.

Under current protocol, close contacts who have been fully vaccinated and have received booster shots will undergo quarantine for five days.

Those who have been fully vaccinated but have not received booster will be quarantined for seven days while those who are unvaccinated and have not been fully vaccinated will be isolated for 10 days.