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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
As August 1 approaches and those returning to Qatar from coronavirus (COVID-19) low-risk countries are expected to undergo a seven-day home quarantine following their return to Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is reminding the community on the precautions they should take at home to limit the spread of the disease.
According to the information, in collaboration among the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), those doing home quarantine should stay at home in a room with ensuite bathroom and proper and regular ventilation separated from other family members. They should also avoid any contact with other family members and should not allow visitors as well as pets into the house. They should also make sure there is a closed trash bin in their room.
According to HMC Communicable Disease Center Medical Director Dr Muna Al Maslamani, those on home quarantine should use their phones if they need to contact anyone else in the house.
“Ask others -- a family members or friend -- to run errands for you like buying food or medicine,” she said.
She urged those on quarantine not to leave their houses, and in the event of a medical emergency, they should call 999.
“Only one member of the family should be allowed to provide care to you. Your caregiver should wear a facemask and gloves every time he or she enters your room and should dispose of the mask and gloves and wash his or her hands immediately after leaving the room. A distance of at least 1.5 metres shall be maintained between you and your caregiver at all times,” said Dr Maslamani.
She advised those on home quarantine to avoid cooking or preparing food for others or even entering the kitchen.
“Eat your food in your room and avoid eating or drinking with other people in the house. Be careful to wash your dishes separately from others in the house. Make sure to eat healthy food that strengthens your immunity system. Make sure you drink enough water (eight-12 glasses a day),” she advised.
She urged those with chronic health condition and who require regular medication to ensure they have adequate supply available at home and avoid direct contact with children.
Dr Maslamani encouraged everyone in the house to wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their face, mouth or nose and cover the mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing and dispose off the tissue immediately into a trash bin.
She said, “Personal household items like dishes, drinking glasses, eating utensils, toothbrushes, clothes, pillows, bed linen or towels should not be shared with other people in the house. These items should also be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water after use.
“Surfaces and used items should also be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day, including door handles, toilets, tables, TV remote controls, mobile phones and all other high touch surfaces and items. Single-use gloves should be used when cleaning. Those in quarantine should wash their clothes washed separately from other people’s clothes in the house.”
According to a recent announcement by the government, those who are eligible for a home quarantine include those arriving to Qatar from Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, Malta, Finland, Hungary, South Korea, Estonia, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Japan, Cyprus, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Denmark, Morocco, Poland, France, Australia, Canada, Slovenia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland, Algeria, Turkey , Iceland, Spain, Croatia and Andorra.
DOHA
As August 1 approaches and those returning to Qatar from coronavirus (COVID-19) low-risk countries are expected to undergo a seven-day home quarantine following their return to Qatar, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is reminding the community on the precautions they should take at home to limit the spread of the disease.
According to the information, in collaboration among the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), those doing home quarantine should stay at home in a room with ensuite bathroom and proper and regular ventilation separated from other family members. They should also avoid any contact with other family members and should not allow visitors as well as pets into the house. They should also make sure there is a closed trash bin in their room.
According to HMC Communicable Disease Center Medical Director Dr Muna Al Maslamani, those on home quarantine should use their phones if they need to contact anyone else in the house.
“Ask others -- a family members or friend -- to run errands for you like buying food or medicine,” she said.
She urged those on quarantine not to leave their houses, and in the event of a medical emergency, they should call 999.
“Only one member of the family should be allowed to provide care to you. Your caregiver should wear a facemask and gloves every time he or she enters your room and should dispose of the mask and gloves and wash his or her hands immediately after leaving the room. A distance of at least 1.5 metres shall be maintained between you and your caregiver at all times,” said Dr Maslamani.
She advised those on home quarantine to avoid cooking or preparing food for others or even entering the kitchen.
“Eat your food in your room and avoid eating or drinking with other people in the house. Be careful to wash your dishes separately from others in the house. Make sure to eat healthy food that strengthens your immunity system. Make sure you drink enough water (eight-12 glasses a day),” she advised.
She urged those with chronic health condition and who require regular medication to ensure they have adequate supply available at home and avoid direct contact with children.
Dr Maslamani encouraged everyone in the house to wash their hands regularly and avoid touching their face, mouth or nose and cover the mouth with a tissue while coughing or sneezing and dispose off the tissue immediately into a trash bin.
She said, “Personal household items like dishes, drinking glasses, eating utensils, toothbrushes, clothes, pillows, bed linen or towels should not be shared with other people in the house. These items should also be washed thoroughly with soap and warm water after use.
“Surfaces and used items should also be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day, including door handles, toilets, tables, TV remote controls, mobile phones and all other high touch surfaces and items. Single-use gloves should be used when cleaning. Those in quarantine should wash their clothes washed separately from other people’s clothes in the house.”
According to a recent announcement by the government, those who are eligible for a home quarantine include those arriving to Qatar from Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Malaysia, New Zealand, Malta, Finland, Hungary, South Korea, Estonia, Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Japan, Cyprus, Ireland, Greece, Italy, Slovakia, Denmark, Morocco, Poland, France, Australia, Canada, Slovenia, Belgium, United Kingdom, Czechia, Austria, Switzerland, Algeria, Turkey , Iceland, Spain, Croatia and Andorra.
