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COVID-19: Quarantine, Isolation, Social Distancing, and Lockdown? [Update]

March 23, 2020

As the figure of Novel Coronavirus cases rises all over the world, we’re hearing a lot of stuff about how social distancing, self-quarantine, and self-isolation will help. Maybe these terms have an identical goal, but they have distinctive meanings.

BTW, what do those terms mean, and when do they apply? We’re hearing these terms for a long period of time but many people seem to have lots of confusion.

Here’s a quick guide for what you need to know.

QUARANTINE:

Quarantined is the time when people have been exposed to the virus and are told to quarantine at home for 14 days (two weeks). If they do test negative for the virus, they do not have to remain quarantined.

Quarantine is used to segregate and restrict the flow of people who may have been exposed to the virus, but do not have symptoms to see if they become sick. These individuals may or may not be contagious.

Governments can order local, state-level, and national quarantines in times of crisis. In a quarantine, residents of a home will stay inside until the quarantine is lifted.

ISOLATION:

Isolation is tactics used to segregate people who are sick with an infected illness from those who are healthy. Isolation restricts the flow of people who are ill to help stop the expanse of certain viruses like COVID-19. People in isolation may get care in their homes, hospitals, or assigned healthcare amenities.

SOCIAL DISTANCING:

Social distancing refers to creating physical distance between people rather than preventing the social connection. In the contrast, it is more important than ever to connect with colleagues, friends, and family for emotional support – even if you are physically separated from them. Fortunately, this can happen virtually.

Everyone is required to keep at least 6 feet between each other to avoid spreading the coronavirus. This effort includes working from home, closing schools, canceling events, and not meeting in groups larger than 10-25. Social distancing is prescribed in all areas across the country.

Social distancing holds, but is not restricted to:

Closing schools or turning to online classes.
Talking to your office colleagues from the home, virtually.
Avoiding unnecessary trips.
If possible, limit or consider canceling group gatherings like parties, celebrations, birthdays, etc.
If you have meetings outlined, consider doing them virtually instead of in person.
Whenever possible, maintain a 6-foot distance from each other outside when you are out. You can go to a walk with your dog, go to groceries but avoid crowded places.

LOCKDOWN:

The lockdown will see the suspension of all public transport, close-down of commercial establishments, shops, and private offices. Most factories and godowns have been asked to close down and suspend operations for the time being.

However, essential services such as pharmacies, medical shops, gas, medical appointments, hospitals, banks, telecom, fire brigade, ambulance, market places (selling groceries, food items, milk, etc), petrol pumps will remain open. E-commerce of groceries and home delivery of food will continue.

In this critical circumstance where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly all over the globe until now 154,223,173 cases are confirmed, 3,227,977 are dead, only 131,656,922 are retrieved from the pandemic spanning over 187 countries.

In Nepal, a total of 343,428 cases are confirmed, 3,362 are dead and 286,015 are recovered. Until today active cases are 54,041.

Don’t Panic: Everything is not authentic and accurate in social media. Please do follow official pages and reliable websites for accurate information.