Government has issued new guidelines on quarantine procedures following the recent spike in Covid-19 cases.

Dr. Ayoola Oyinloye, the Chief Medical Officer, said there was confusion around the issue after scores of schoolchildren were ordered to quarantine because of potential exposure to the virus.

Dr Oyinloye said that the health ministry’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) will contact anyone who it believes could be exposed to the virus.

Dr Oyinloye said: “If you are identified as a close contact and asked to quarantine, you will be advised by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.

“You will be told when and how to quarantine and the testing protocol to follow. Your tests will be different from that of the traveller testing guidance because the risks are different. Please only follow the quarantine and testing advice given to you by the ESU.”

“When it comes to households with multiple siblings, if you are able to quarantine the affected sibling away from the other siblings and parent, the non-affected sibling may still attend school, and the other parent can go to work.

“If you are not able to keep the household members apart, then both siblings should quarantine, and the parents should not attend work.

"Please note that just because persons have been quarantined, this doesn't mean they are carrying the virus.

“The person may have had a potential exposure to someone who is confirmed as having tested positive for the virus that causes Covid disease. They may or may not go on to test positive themselves. This is a very important distinction."