Karantin

Karantin, or quarantine, is the separation and restriction of movement of individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease, with the aim of monitoring for symptoms and preventing further transmission. It differs from isolation, which applies to people known to be ill.

The term derives from the Italian quarantena, meaning a forty-day period, used during plague outbreaks to ensure that arriving ships and travelers did not spread disease. In many languages, including Estonian, Turkish, and others, the word appears as karantin or a cognate.

Historically, quarantine measures emerged in medieval and early modern ports and later became standard public health tools. Modern quarantine is guided by epidemiological risk assessment, the disease in question, and its incubation period, and may be voluntary or legally mandated.

Implementation varies: home quarantine or dedicated facilities, with restrictions on movement, work, school, and travel. Duration aligns with the incubation period and may include regular health monitoring, testing, and provision of necessities. Exemptions may apply for essential workers or critical services.

Issues include civil liberties, due process, and equity; states typically provide support such as food, housing, medical care, and mental health services. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the use of quarantine in border controls and community containment, and it spurred development of international guidelines and digital tools for risk communication and monitoring.