Quebec Is Shortening Mandatory Isolation For People With COVID-19

Quebec's health ministry and the Institut national de santé publique (INSPQ) have decided to shorten the mandatory COVID-19 isolation period to 10 days.

For "the majority of the population," new public health information shows that 10 days is an adequate period of isolation after a positive test, according to a statement.

Until now, the rule called for 14 days of isolation. 

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The evolution of our knowledge now allows us to shorten the duration of isolation for people with COVID-19.

Dr. Horacio Arruda, National Director of Public Health

After the 10-day period, a person must show the following recovery criteria to come out of isolation: no fever for 48 hours and no signs of any symptoms for 24 hours. 

"Once the isolation period is over, people are no longer considered contagious, but they must make sure to follow the instructions that apply to the general population such as hand washing, wearing a face covering and physical distancing," said Dr. Arruda. 

Anyone who has come into contact with COVID-19 and hasn't manifested symptoms will still need to isolate for 14 days to monitor their symptoms.

Immunosuppressed people or those in intensive care who have come into contact with the virus must isolate for 21 days, the ministry says.