In the sphere of public health, the effectiveness of monitoring, controlling and responding to infectious diseases not only affects the health status of people but also national security, the economy and society. This often happens in unpredictable ways.

Unavoidably, there needs to be enhanced management strategies to reduce community transmission pressures and to slow or limit transmission levels to ensure public health.

During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a multitude of mitigation measures have been outlined to prevent the spread of the disease and minimise the operational and financial impact on the health system. The different case containment measures rest on the foundational concept of detection and isolation, the latter of which is invariably connected to quarantining.

Quarantining is a tool that was used as far back as the 14th century when it was utilised to mitigate the transmission of the Black Plague, a bubonic disease that struck Europe and Asia. An Italian word that was derived from the number of days - 40 - that travellers were required to stay in isolation before they were allowed to enter society.

It is the restriction of people that have travelled recently or have had contact with people infected with the disease. It can be implemented on a voluntary basis or by legal enforcement at the individual, group or community level. As in olden times, this tool has been crucial in the fight against the virus.

It has been all the more important considering that COVID-19 has no known treatment or vaccines available. It is the most effective strategy for suppressing the transmission of infectious diseases like COVID-19 but requires a great deal of planning for implementation and protocols that must be followed.

Following the first confirmed case of the virus in Ethiopia, the country imposed restrictions to protect the public. Through a state of emergency, the movement of people was restricted. Social distancing measures were applied to public transportation, restaurants and even offices. Recently, even walking in the city centres without a mask has been prohibited.

Most importantly, any international traveller to Ethiopia has to be kept in mandatory quarantine in designated hotels for 14 days before they are allowed to enter society.