Fight against Covid-19: quarantine, a source of tension in Europe

Red areas that keep getting bigger. As Europe faces a resurgence of the Covid-19 epidemic, several countries have decided to re-impose quarantine measures within the European Union. Thus, since August 15, all travelers from France wishing to enter the United Kingdom are under house arrest for a period of 14 days. Germany followed suit with the British by adding Spain to its list of risk areas. Recently, Norway, Austria and even Belgium have also imposed quarantines on travelers disembarking from certain European countries. Little by little, draconian border control seems to be establishing itself in Europe as an essential measure. However, a debate continues as to the real effectiveness of this type of quarantine and the logistical complexity it generates.

An effective health measure?

Like screening or wearing a mask, quarantine is one of the preventive measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to curb the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the WHO, its role is twofold since it can make it possible "to prevent the introduction of the disease into new regions" but also to "reduce human-to-human transmission in regions where COVID-19 is already circulating". While the virus is active in most European countries, the public authorities are relying heavily on this measure to stem the epidemic wave.

"There are two modes of transmission of the coronavirus, respiratory and by contact. Isolation necessarily reduces the risks and is therefore undeniably effective," says Marc Gastellu-Etchegorry, epidemiologist at Épicentre Médecin Sans Frontières, interviewed by France 24. "For However, quarantine measures are applied in conjunction with other preventive measures, such as social distancing rules and mask wearing, and there is currently little evidence to assess its effectiveness individual ".

A point of view shared by Jan-Cédric Hansen, physician member of the French Society of Disaster Medicine: "If we take the example of influenza, massively vaccinating the population does not prevent individual cases of influenza. But it allows to avoid an outbreak of the epidemic. The same goes for quarantines; used wisely, they have an undeniable effect on the overall epidemic situation ".

An unpopular measure that generates logistical problems

Quarantine is therefore an effective tool in the fight against Covid-19. Still, its application can be extremely restrictive. Most countries do not support travelers and simply require them to self-isolate for a period of 14 days at the location where they plan to stay. This is the case for travelers arriving from areas considered at risk by the United Kingdom, who must provide information about their place of residence and respect the quarantine under penalty of fines of up to 3,200 pounds ( more than 3,500 euros). For 14 days, these travelers are not allowed to entertain friends, family or run errands, except in cases of extreme necessity.

An extremely restrictive measure, therefore, often viewed with a negative eye by the population. However, this aspect represents a major obstacle to its effectiveness, according to Jan-Cédric Hansen "Experience shows that, in terms of health measures, adherence is much more important than the fear of sanctions. If we want to achieve effectiveness, it The complexity of the situation must be explained to the entire population. A great educational effort is essential ". A pedagogy that seems to have been lacking during the announcement of the quarantine imposed by the British government on August 13 and which had led to a large number of hasty returns to the United Kingdom despite the warnings.

Political instrumentalisation?

Why is the United Kingdom imposing such restrictive measures on France, a country less affected by the Covid-19 epidemic? "One could consider that the British decision is based on a statistical calculation", suggests Marc Gastellu-Etchegorry. "England would impose a quarantine because it anticipates an outbreak of cases in France. But in reality, the effect of this quarantine vis-à-vis such an affected country is minimal. It seems obvious that it is not not motivated by health reasons, "he concludes.

The move comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces charges of negligence in handling the health crisis.

In any event, stung to the quick, France, through the voice of its Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, said that she regretted this decision which "will lead to a reciprocity measure".

A British decision which we regret and which will lead to a reciprocity measure, hoping for a return to normal as soon as possible @Djebbari_JB https://t.co/6pA0qDQun6

For Jan-Cédric Hansen, the Franco-British example is symptomatic of the poor management of quarantine on a European scale: "States impose quarantines between countries with extremely heavy repercussions for citizens. However, this measure would be much more effective. if it were based on the flow of goods and people within the EU and not on national borders.It does not make sense that after visiting a small Spanish village, where the population does not travel much, we find ourselves in quarantine in Germany, while the risk is much higher on a Paris-Berlin route. Systematic quarantines as imposed today by governments are too heavy and incomprehensible for the populations ".

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