What is quarantine (“prophylactic isolation”) or isolation?

Quarantine and isolation are essential social distancing measures in Public Health. They are especially used in response to an epidemic and are intended to protect the population by breaking the chain of transmission between individuals.

The difference between quarantine and isolation stems from the disease state of the individual who wants to be socially withdrawn. Quarantine is used on individuals who are believed to be healthy but may have been in contact with a patient who is known to be infectious. Isolation is the measure used in sick individuals, so that through social distancing they do not infect other citizens.

These social distancing measures are one of the most effective measures to break the transmission chains, and therefore used by Health Authorities to minimize the transmission of COVID-19.

Source: DGS