A quarantine is a restriction of movement that can prevent people from transmitting disease to others. It is an ancient tool – the Bible mentions sequestering persons with leprosy, and it was used on ships to prevent the spread of bubonic and pneumonic plague. Today’s quarantines are much less extensive – they usually involve individuals exposed to contagious material in small groups, such as on airplanes or at public events. They may be voluntary or compulsory, depending on the public health policy and the epidemiological situation.
Quarantine can be a highly effective means of curbing epidemics by preventing onward transmission and providing an opportunity to confirm exposure to the infectious agent or disease, thereby allowing appropriate intervention. However, it can also have significant negative psychological impacts and impose heavy social costs.
It is therefore vital to consider the impact of the different strategies and duration of restrictive measures on the individual, societal, and economic wellbeing. A balance should be struck between reducing the risk of negative mental consequences and ensuring a rapid response to an outbreak.
In order to minimise the psychological impacts of quarantine, all stakeholders need to work together to develop appropriate communication and educational initiatives to support people while they are under restrictions. It is important to ensure that those who are under quarantine can clearly understand the severity of the situation and the reason for the restriction; in addition, a sense of altruism and feeling that they are contributing to restoring public health and controlling the epidemic should be fostered to increase compliance with quarantine measures and make these stressful experiences easier to bear.
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