Health Protection Agency (HPA) has decided to provide exemptions for individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 in quarantine, isolation and testing.
HPA stated individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 will be exempted from isolation, quarantine and further testing, unless more than 3 months have passed since their recovery. HPA stated such individuals have been provided exemptions as there is no conclusive evidence suggesting COVID-19 spreads from individuals who have recovered from the disease.
HPA stated recovered individuals do not have to undergo PCR testing for employment or surveillance purposes within 3 months of recovery. The agency noted they also do not have to undergo testing for being a direct contact of a positive COVID-19 case, unless symptoms are present. Such individuals are also exempted from quarantine and isolation for 3 months after recovery.
Health professionals have stated individuals who recover from COVID-19 may return positive PCR results even 4-5 weeks after symptoms have disappeared. However, health professionals state the latest research indicates positive PCR results do not necessarily mean the patient carries a risk of transmission.