Fully vaccinated direct contacts to no longer have to quarantine

Health Protection Agency (HPA) has changed regulations so that fully vaccinated individuals who are direct contacts to COVID-19 positive cases will no longer have to undergo a quarantine period if they do not showcase any symptoms.

To be considered fully vaccinated, an individual must receive the booster shot in addition to the first and second dose. An individual may be considered fully vaccinated if six months have not passed since getting the second dose.

A regulation publicized by HPA this afternoon read that should fully vaccinated direct contacts, if they do not showcase any symptoms whereas their PCR test or antigen test comes back negative, they will not have to quarantine.

However, this can only be followed should the contact live at a separate residence than the individual who had tested positive.

If a fully vaccinated contact lives in the same residence as the individual who had tested positive – the quarantine period must be fulfilled. The contact must remain in quarantine until a negative result is received.

Even though fully vaccinated, and showcasing no symptoms, a direct contact must take a Covid test five days from the date of contact with the positive person.

HPA detailed that a self-testing antigen kit may be used by individuals showing symptoms of the disease. However, their isolation and quarantine documents will only be issued once an antigen or PCR test is done from a registered laboratory or a health care facility.

HPA also added that individuals receiving easements under this regulation who are currently undergoing quarantine – may end of quarantine period.

Whilst new easements have been announced by HPA, the number of daily cases in the Maldives is above 2,000 per day.