Monday, March 9, 2020

Leave of Absence and Quarantine

The American news has reported people talking about self-quarantine and self-isolation. I have read the information from Singapore and my understanding is that the terms are different and precise.

Singapore government websites explain what is the case.

Leave of Absence, stay home from work, avoid crowds, is a precaution when you were in the same area as somebody else. Stay off work and avoid crowds. Precaution. You stay home and can go out very briefly for urgent business, eg walk to your nearby postbox (I would wear gloves) and open it to retrieve bills to pay. But not go on public transport nor to a gym nor a group meeting.

People often use the terms interchangeably. Quarantine is more serious. If you start coughing, you might be told to quarantine while waiting for the result of a test. You stay in a separate bedroom, use a different bathrooms and eat at different times to avoid infecting your nearest and dearest.

Why aren't you in hospital? Because they don't have enough beds, or staff or food and drink for all the people who are only slightly ill. You only go into hospital if you have serious needs, eg a high temperature and need oxygen to help you breathe, or resuscitation.

This is what I understand from a Singapore website. But each country is different and rules change according to the seriousness of the situation, number of cases, and amount of hospital bed space available.

To be sure I have not misunderstood, or misled you, or the information is not up to date, please check government websites for your country and any area of any country you might be visiting.

It is also handy to know the abbreviations in use locally and currently, such as in Singapore in Feb 2020, ML stands for medical leave.

The government is likely to check up on you. For example by phoning or checking where your mobile phone is and which network you are logged onto.

Make sure you know what is required and then follow the rules.

To protect everyone, penalties for not obeying the orders can include fines, imprisonment, hospitalisation, deportation, or not allowing you back into the country.

Photos and False Information
Don't pass on information or photos saying everybody in a group is quarantined or on medical leave until you have checked back with the original sender of the information, or with somebody high up in the government, the health service or your place of work.

LOA leave of absence
ML Medical leave

Useful Websites
Ministry of information for persons sharing with those on medical leave.
https://www.moh.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider5/default-document-library/advisory-for-individuals-sharing-residential-spaces-with-persons-on-leave-of-absence--

About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

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