CHP experts back extending quarantine to 14 days

An expert committee under the Centre for Health Protection on Monday recommended extending the quarantine period to 14 days for travellers returning from medium to low risk countries if they are vaccinated and their antibody test is positive.

They also recommended they be subject to another seven days of self-monitoring.

At the moment, returnees who are vaccinated and whose antibody test is positive can have their quarantine shortened from 14 days to seven if they arrive from medium risk countries.

Professor David Hui, who chairs the scientific committee on emerging and zoonotic diseases, said a seven-day quarantine period can only identify about 88 percent of the cases who contracted a mutant strain.

The Chinese University expert said while a 10-day-quarantine period should be sufficient to find almost all cases, the government is not comfortable with the idea.

“The government is not prepared to accept this one to two percent risk of leaking cases into the community,” Hui said.

“That means seven days hotel quarantine would be insufficient … Therefore changing to 14 days of hotel quarantine for the time being would be more prudent.” he said.

The CHP said the government will study and implement the proposal as soon as possible.