oPt Protection Cluster: Protection Consideration in Establishing and Running Quarantine Sites

Quarantine sites are being established in many countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). This note aims to set out the key protection and human rights considerations in the setting up and running of these quarantine sites along with some concrete recommendations for action by the authorities, those running the sites and protection actors. Respecting human rights in quarantine sites is first and foremost a matter of rights. However, it can also be instrumental in slowing the spread of the virus. The considerations, concerns and recommended actions described here are indicative and not comprehensive.

In response to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the oPt, the Palestinian Authority (PA) and de facto authorities (DFA) in Gaza have introduced specific measures to impede the spread of COVID-19, a key feature being the introduction of compulsory quarantine for those not displaying symptoms of the virus but of uncertain status (notably returnees from abroad). The system of quarantine currently being established is a mix of home-based and formal quarantine in a dedicated site. The exact configuration in and across formal quarantine sites in the oPt remains fluid at the time of this note.