The 14-day period of quarantine for people who have likely been in contact with the coronavirus is too long and should be cut in half, according to professor of microbiology at the University of Antwerp, Herman Goossens.
"I have heard that, in certain cities, police and fire brigades are in trouble because people have to remain in quarantine for a long time," Goossens said on Radio 1. "This puts essential services in danger."
According to him, this unnecessarily takes people out of societal life for a long period of time. "In education, too. If a pupil turns out to be infected, the whole class has to stay home immediately," he added.
Related News
- Belgian average continues to decrease, 438 new coronavirus cases per day
- Marc Van Ranst absent from revamped coronavirus expert group
- Increasing number of Brussels red-zone travellers get tested
Goossens acknowledges that some people only start showing symptoms after 7 days - which was why the period of 14 days was determined -, but says that they are exceptions.
The quarantine period should be limited to seven days, according to him. Then, on the last day, a test should be carried out (again). If the test result is negative, the quarantine can be lifted.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
