Only after carrying out an analysis on how the current 10+7 medical observation system proceeded would authorities ponder the possibility of implementing a 7+7 system, health authorities indicated.
The new 10+7 entry policy change comes just about one month after the medical observation period was reduced from a 21+7 system to 14+7 on May 16.
Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre Coordinator Dr. Leong Iek Hou explained yesterday (Thursday) that the reduction of the mandatory hotel quarantine period to 10 days plus seven of health self-management was due to the short incubation period of the Omicron variant of Sars-CoV-2, which starts to manifest in a shorter period of time and can be detected within 7 days via nucleic acid test.
“After analyzing recent experiences in Mainland China and data from Macau, the territory is in a position to implement the reduction of the isolation period to 10 days. Within the scope of this reduction, seven nucleic acid tests are now included on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 10th days during the medical observation period,’ Dr. Leong said on the weekly pandemic update press conference
“After completing the medical observation, it is still necessary to monitor their own health for 7 days, during which people are subjected to five nucleic acid tests, which make it possible to detect eventual cases, with a prolonged incubation period”
Dr. Leong also explained that the method of calculating the period of isolation is the same as the one that already existed, that is, the day of entry to Macau is considered day zero and the day following that of entry is considered as the first day.
So if someone was to enter Macau on July 1, the first day is considered July 2, with the 10th observation day being July 11.
In the case of the 14+7 system individuals undergoing medical observation had to perform a nucleic acid test on the 13th day.
When a negative nucleic acid result was obtained, they could leave the hotel on the 14th day.
As the number of days of medical observation was reduced under the 10+7 program, in order to prevent and minimize risks, the nucleic acid test collection was scheduled for the last day, and the people under observation may leave the hotel as soon as a negative result is obtained.
So that these people can complete the isolation as quickly as possible the entities responsible for carrying out the nucleic acid test will start to carry out the collection of test samples of nucleic acid to individuals who complete 10 days of medical observation in the shortest possible time, on the morning of the 10th day.
If the results of this test are negative, on the same day, hotels and other entities will immediately deal with the formalities for completing the isolation of these people.
