There are concerns that those living next to quarantine centres expose themselves to the virus. This has been raised through social media, especially after the first positive case of the COVID-19.
The Ministry of Health, in a recent advise on its Facebook page, said that those living close to quarantine sites are safe as the virus spreads primarily through close contact with a sick person within 1-2 meters, for example living in the same household or workplace.
The MOH says that there is no evidence to suggest that surrounding communities could be exposed to the virus, as people in quarantine are kept indoors and are restricted from moving outside the facility.
The MOH says that there are also stringent safety protocols in place, ensuring the safety of front-line workers and the public at large.
The public is reminded that they should just continue to practice personal safety measures such as washing of hands with soap and water or the use of hand sanitizers. The public is also encouraged to avoid crowded places.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says current evidence suggests that close-contact, person-to-person transmission is the primary way COVID-19 spreads, as droplets are released from the mouth or nose when an infected person coughs, sneezes, speaks or sings, for example.
People in close contact with an infected person can become infected when those infectious droplets get into their mouth, nose or eyes.