Guidance on Home Quarantine and Isolation in Overcrowded Settings

The first case of COVID-19 in Lebanon was recorded on 21 February 2020. Since then, more cases have been reported with history of travel or contact with confirmed cases with a travel history. 

One of the strategies used to tackle the spread of the disease is home isolation or quarantine, but this can be hard to achieve in overcrowded settings such as informal settlements and collective shelters. There are ways of achieving isolation in overcrowded contexts, but it is important to ensure child protection when adopting such projects. For example, it can be crucial to preserve family unity and prevent the separation of children from their caregivers. It is also important to have a pool of staff trained to communicate with caregivers and children. 

This document aims to provide guidance on how isolation or quarantine can be achieved if there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in an overcrowded setting, with specific recommendations on how to ensure that children remain protected and reassured.