Covid: Quarantine requirement ends for fully vaccinated

Jabs protect against virus transmission

PEOPLE who have been fully immunised against Covid-19 in Spain will no longer have to quarantine if they come into contact with a positive case.

The change comes based on scientific research – although those who are fully vaccinated will still have to take two PCR tests to ensure they have not contracted coronavirus.

After discussions between the government and region al health chiefs, the health ministry announced: “People who are fully vaccinated and considered a close contact of a positive case will generally be exempt from the quarantine rule.”

A ‘close contact’ is defined by the health ministry as someone who has been in the same place as a person who tests positive for the disease at a distance of under two metres for more than 15 minutes in 24 hours.

Previously, this would mean a 10-day period of self-isolation regardless of vaccine protection. Those fully jabbed will still take a PCR test after being alerted to the situation and another seven days later.

People fully vaccinated have a very low risk of developing the virus but can still spread the virus – however, studies in the UK show they have a lower capacity to transmit Covid-19 to people who have had no jabs.

And full protection is considered to be those who have received two shots of Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca; or a single jab of the one-shot Janssen vaccine.