Change To Quarantine Requirements In Effect

January 16, 2022

“Effective immediately, mandatory quarantine will no longer be required for contacts of a positive case if persons are not experiencing Covid symptoms and your last vaccine dose [2nd dose or booster dose] was received within the last 6 months,” the Ministry advised today [Jan 16].

Changes to Quarantine Requirements for Vaccinated Close Contacts bda jan 16 2022

A spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Health advises that effective immediately, mandatory quarantine will no longer be required for contacts of a positive case if persons are not experiencing Covid symptoms and your last vaccine dose [2nd dose or booster dose] was received within the last 6 months.

“However, it is strongly recommended that daily antigen tests be taken for self-monitoring during the seven days after close contact, especially if you will be entering a workplace setting or place where you will be in contact with others outside of your household.”

Minister of Health, Kim Wilson  said, “To reduce the high workload and pressure on the case management team, we have decided not to delay this policy change. On Thursday, we announced that this change would come into effect on January 20, 2022. Effecting this change immediately is vital to reduce staffing pressures in the public and private sector as we progress towards living with the coronavirus.

“If you are a close contact, having had your 2nd or 3rd dose within the last 6 months, and are not experiencing Covid symptoms you do not have to quarantine, but you must follow all public health guidance with regards to mask-wearing and exercise caution.

Minister Wilson Ja 16 2022

“If you have received a letter that states you must quarantine, but you have received your 2nd or 3rd dose within the last 6 months and you are not experiencing any Covid symptoms, you are released from quarantine, and your 7 days of monitoring will start on the date that you were directed to commence quarantine.

“For example, if you were directed to quarantine starting on January 10, 2020, your 7 day monitoring period will end on January 17, and you will not be required to attend a PCR test on Day 10. The Ministry of Health will not be issuing new letters to those vaccinated or boosted persons to whom this new policy applies.

“We rely on these persons and local employers to follow the guidance as the whole community must take responsibility and do the right thing as individual actions affect everyone around us. Our children, parents, friends and colleagues may become infected if we do not follow public health guidance to reduce the spread of this virus.”

Minister Wilson concluded, “Each of us has a vital role to play in protecting our community and our hospital. As I said earlier, everyone should follow public health guidance – avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings. Wear a mask indoors, and outdoors if you cannot physically distance, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance, and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.”

A spokesperson added, “Changes to the testing requirements for travellers and the isolation requirements for those who have tested positive for the coronavirus that were announced on Thursday will still come into effect on January 20, 2022.

“As a reminder, the Covid-19 symptoms are: fever [100.4◦F] or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhoea; sudden confusion or brain fog.”
covid-19 divider 1

You can find more information on the links below from our dedicated website BermudaCovid.com, which is the most comprehensive resource and historic record available of Bermuda’s handling of the pandemic.

  • All Charts: Vaccine, testing & more here
  • Timelines: Dates of major developments here
  • Test results: Chart of testing stats here
  • Vaccine: Data covering vaccinations here
  • Dedicated website: BermudaCovid.com

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Comments (18)

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  1. Question says:

    The ridiculous insistence of using the word “persons” in the first of these two announcements renders it nonsensical. Why don’t they just write using clear English?

    • Sandgrownan says:

      lol….

    • trufth says:

      They want independence from Mother England yet they try to sound posh using her vernacular.

      Newsflash: makes you look and sound stupid.

      I think they just do it now because they know it irritates persons.

  2. Unknown800k says:

    I think Dr Weldon, um um um burtcoin and I don’t have that info Wilson should have a live televised discussion.

  3. Jotaro says:

    So let me get this straight if someone in my house is positive but I’m showing no symptoms I can still go to work? Testing is “recommended” not mandatory. I’ve done and antigen test only to be confirmed positive with a PCR 2 days later. If I went into work during that time I would have had contact with many customers. I don’t know how this makes sense…

  4. Just Asking says:

    So how is this going to effect the schools? Ar ethey still going to be tested every week? where are people goingto get money to buy these test? i see the price soaring on them already. There is going to be shortage then what?

  5. Ringmaster says:

    So suddenly the science has changed? As I said the other day the PLP have no ideas or plans and have clearly made this stuff up on the fly. Cancel the curfew too as it has nothing to do with Covid. Cancel the TA. Cancel the Emergency Powers Act and revert to taking any controls to the HoA.
    Get rid of contact tracing and only test if you feel ill. Get a Minister of Health who knows what they are doing and have information in front of them.

  6. Hmmm says:

    Feels like all the toys just got tossed out of the toy box. What a way to do it on a Sunday.

  7. Hope says:

    Vaccinated persons exposed no quarantine versus non vaccinated exposed 10 days quarantine makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Do t think for a minute that exposed non vaccinated persons are going to put themselves in quarantine for 10 days! All exposures should be 5 days quarantine and negative lateral flow on day 5. That is the way to balance this out.

  8. jon says:

    Wait a minute, so this only applies to the vaccinated, who are the ones spreading the virus right now. Once again your discriminating against those who aren’t vaccinated. Joke government

    • sandgrownan says:

      I’m all for discriminating against those who choose to be unvaccinated.

      • Otrwele says:

        Yes we know a$$&^$. And it’s getting
        Boring

      • Question says:

        There is no medical rationale for Safekeys.

        • sandgrownan says:

          Possibly not, now at least. I’ll grant you that.

          I’d rather have the comfort of reducing my risk profile, knowing that people around me are either vaccinated or recently tested.

  9. Sally-Anne says:

    The first group of teens to be eligible for the vaccine all had their 2nd doses in June 2021; over 6 months ago. When will boosters be opened up to them? This is vital if we don’t want another year of disrupted exams.