Clarifications regarding the morning announcement for the release of close contacts from the 7th day instead of the 10th were made by the Ministry of Health
It is stated that the release is valid for the contacts of the cases that will be reported from today onwards. For all contacts reported until yesterday, the previous protocol for release with negative PCR on the 10th day applies.
According to the Ministry, close contacts are subjected to molecular examination (PCR test) after an appointment by the Public Health Clinics and at the same time receive instructions via text message for self-limitation.
In particular, close contacts are subject to mandatory self-limitation for 14 days from their last contact with the case regardless of laboratory result (contact day is defined as day zero). Close contacts can be released earlier ONLY by negative PCR on day 7 from any approved laboratory.
Release on day 7 with negative PCR is valid only for close contacts and not for positive cases.
If close contacts are not isolated from the positive case (eg parents caring for a minor child, caregivers caring for people who are not self-employed, etc.), then the start day of their isolation is renewed with a new day zero from the day of release of the positive case, since until the last day before its release the positive person is potentially contagious.