Self-isolation as a measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Belarus has made changes to the list of diseases that pose a danger to public health: the infection caused by the coronavirus COVID-19 has been added to this list.

In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus adopted Resolution No. 208 on 08.04.2020, which introduced a new restrictive measure in the country – self-isolation.

It is also clarified that self-isolation is a system of measures ensuring the isolation (in home or other conditions) of persons arriving from epidemiologically unfavorable countries, or persons who have had or could have contacts with individuals having infectious diseases, and/or persons who are carriers of the pathogens of such infectious diseases, and/or persons who are in the recovery stage after having suffered infectious diseases.

Self-isolation applies to citizens of the Republic of Belarus, foreign citizens, and stateless persons who have the COVID-19 infection or are classified as first or second level contacts. A citizen subject to self-isolation is handed a requirement to comply with the rules of conduct during self-isolation.

Citizens subject to self-isolation, who are covered by state social insurance, and for whom, as well as by themselves in cases provided for by the legislation on state social insurance, mandatory insurance contributions are paid to the budget of the state off-budget fund for social protection of the population of the Republic of Belarus for social insurance, and a sick leave certificate is issued for the period of self-isolation.

In case of violation by a citizen of the requirements for self-isolation, the temporary disability benefit is assigned in the amount of 50 percent of the benefit calculated in accordance with the legislation. Violation of the requirements for self-isolation established by this resolution also entails liability in accordance with legislative acts.

It should be remembered that significant fines are provided for violations of the regime. However, such measures are justified. It is necessary for people to understand the importance of what is happening. Ignoring doctors' recommendations can lead to an increase in the number of infected individuals. In this case, social distancing measures are very important.

Currently, there have been no laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection in the territory of the Braslaŭ district. There have also been no instances of obstruction to the implementation of anti-epidemic measures.

Deputy Prosecutor of the District S.P. Harbus