Isolation time shortened, fully vaccinated persons do not go into isolation after contact

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Crisis Staff of the Ministry of Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina at today's session adopted recommendations regarding the reduction of the number of days of isolation and self-isolation, confirmed Goran Čerkez, assistant minister of health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"Following the recommendations of the European Center, we have also introduced a shortening of isolation and self-isolation here. This means that if you have been in contact with an infected person and have a complete vaccination status, you will not go into self-isolation until the possible onset of symptoms, when you will contact a doctor, and until then you will wear a mask and behave responsibly. If you do not have a complete vaccination status, self-isolation will last ten days. All persons who are confirmed positive on the test, if not fully vaccinated, will be in isolation for ten days, with the possibility of leaving on the seventh day provided they have a negative test. Fully vaccinated persons will be in isolation for seven days and can also take a test two days earlier, and if the test is negative, they can leave on the fifth day," explained Čerkez for BHRT.

He reminded that these are rules already applied in most European countries.

In addition to this decision, Čerkez stated, the Crisis Staff recommended promoting antigen testing wherever possible, in order to reduce pressure on the healthcare system and avoid anxiety due to waiting for test results.

"We are aware that many patients are dissatisfied, waiting times are long, but in such extreme situations you have tens of thousands of calls daily and it is very difficult to respond to everyone. Patience is needed and, most importantly, responsible behavior," said Čerkez.

He emphasized that this does not exclude PCR testing, especially in severe cases and chronic patients.

"We do not exclude PCR testing, especially for people heading to the hospital sector, where doctors determine the need for PCR testing, or for chronic patients. Too early, the public has created the impression that this is a simple virus and that there will be no problems," said Čerkez.

In the past week, 135 people died, and persons who are not fully vaccinated are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Čerkez said that a meeting on COVID certificates was supposed to be held these days, but it was postponed due to the minister's illness.

"Our position has been the same since the spring of last year - to work in the interest of the residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina, not to politicize, and to accommodate every resident, i.e., to enable the issuance of certificates at the state level because that is the only way they will be recognized," said Čerkez.