The WHO says quarantine could be shortened in areas with high COVID patients

Quarantine can be shortened in places with high COVID cases: WHO The World Health Organization has said countries struggling with surging COVID-19 infections may shorten the recommended quarantine duration of 14 days in some situations.

“Given this situation, countries may consider a pragmatic approach, considering that contact tracing and quarantine requirements in the community may lead to significant disruptions of essential services, including health services.”

In the Netherlands, face masks, social distancing and health passes will no longer be required in most places later this month, and Austria, Switzerland and Germany have also announced plans to lift most COVID curbs.

Checks at non-essential stores for the proof of vaccination or a negative test result will end, but masks will still be required. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson last week said almost all COVID rules in England could be lifted by the end of the month – including the “legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive” – a month before the planned date.