What does self-quarantine mean?

This is a transparent self-restriction of persons’ activities when they are not ill with COVID-19
for the purpose of protecting unexposed members of the community from contracting the disease
should any at-risk person become sick.

It also facilitates early detection of the disease for the rapid implementation of response measures. It, therefore, helps to prevent the spread of the disease to close friends, relatives, and community members.

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This is particularly important for persons who are classified as close contacts of a confirmed
COVID-19 case.

Close contacts are individuals who have been in the proximity of less than 1 meter
to a confirmed case from 2 days prior to symptom onset of the case and as long as the person is
symptomatic.

Close contacts are required to stay at their homes, hotel room or any identified accommodation without mixing with the general public or family members for 14 days since the last contact with the confirmed case. Self-quarantined individuals will be followed up by surveillance officers either via phone or via physical visits (inappropriate PPEs) during the period of quarantine.

Who should be self -quarantined?

 Travelers coming from countries/territories/areas with active transmission of COVID-19
as analyzed and designated by the Ministry of Health/ Ghana Health Service (refer to the
list of countries) shall be in self-quarantine for 14 days.

 Any individual who has been in close contact with a person confirmed to be having
coronavirus disease should be self-quarantined for 14 days since the last contact with the
confirmed case.

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How will I be monitored during self-quarantine?

For purposes of self-quarantine, you are required to provide your name, physical address and
telephone contact to contact tracing team. These details will guide our surveillance teams in
monitoring you while under self-quarantine.

Do family members or other people I live with also need self-quarantine?

Other members of the household are not required to self-quarantine unless they meet the criteria
for self-quarantine as provided by the Ghana Health Service. If you develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19, members of your household MAY be classified as close contacts depending on your interaction with them and will be required to self- quarantine. It is therefore important to implement effective self-quarantine.

Source: Ghana Health Service