NRW shortens the obligation to isolate to five days

North Rhine-Westphalia continues to adhere to an isolation obligation - unlike several federal states. This was made clear by the head of the State Chancellery, Nathanael Liminski (CDU), on Wednesday in the Düsseldorf state parliament. "North Rhine-Westphalia will not go down this path of completely lifting the obligation to isolate for people infected with the coronavirus." Shortly before the plenary debate, however, the Ministry of Health announced that the obligation to isolate would be reduced to five days.

The infection process and the scientific findings will continue to be kept in mind and existing regulations will be constantly checked, said Minister Liminski on behalf of Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU). He informed in a message that from next Wednesday, people infected with corona in NRW will no longer have to test themselves after five days in isolation - the obligation will then end automatically. However, there is a special regulation for employees in medical facilities: Until a negative test result is available, they are prohibited from working.

Liminski said that, unfortunately, no unified approach had been achieved among the countries. NRW considers a complete lifting of the obligation to isolate to be wrong at the current time. One is guided by the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute from May, which are still valid. The relaxed new regulation with a five-day isolation is "responsible" after a comprehensive examination and in view of the current development in infections.

The FDP called for a complete lifting of the obligation. The state government does not rely on people's personal responsibility, criticized the opposition faction. Instead, she is still sticking to measures that were originally intended for the peak of the pandemic. "We have arrived in an endemic phase," said MP Yvonne Gebauer. "We have to live with Corona, just like we have to live with other diseases."

Laumann appealed in the message: “Even after the five days have expired, you should test yourself and voluntarily avoid contact until the test result is negative, or wear a mask if contact is unavoidable.” In principle, an obligation to isolate is still necessary. “Winter is just around the corner with cold temperatures. The flu epidemic is just beginning. The isolation can help prevent infections and reduce the burden on our healthcare system.” Anyone who feels sick should contact their doctor and get sick leave. This is still possible over the phone.