Mabrouq: People released from quarantine should not be treated as ‘lesser’ human beings

National Emergency Operations Center spokesperson Mabrouq Azeez, on Sunday, urged local communities against ostracizing people who are released from quarantine.

At the NEOC press briefing on Sunday night, Mabrouq said he had received information of people released from quarantine being mistreated and ostracized by local communities.

“A person returning [home] after release from a quarantine facility or a person released from a resort going to their island does not mean such a person presents a danger which others do not. I’m hearing tragic tales, of them being denied entry to islands, of them being treated as diseased, of them being treated as people unworthy of being met or even seen,” said Mabrouq.

He appealed against such abuse, and urged compassion in dealing with them, same as deserved by any other person.

“I believe such dangerous times serve to bring out our true nature. Our true nature as a society. Precaution is one thing, and protection another. But it’s important that they aren’t treated as lesser human beings than others,” said Mabrouq.

He said that the people who are released from quarantine should also stay home, same as others, because they are at equal risk of contracting COVID-19.

“I know they are returning home after having spent days apart from their family. I know they are desperate to meet their friends and relatives, and in the case of people who have returned from abroad, to meet everyone they know. I want to address all of them when I say – you don’t have any greater protection against the disease because you have been released. You are at equal risk, same as anyone else…. Social distancing and washing hands… they also need to practice these things,” said Mabrouq.

Mabrouq, at Sunday’s press conference, released numbers on the people released from quarantine and resorts and safaris.

9,663 people have been released from resorts and safaris, while over 800 have been released from quarantine facilities.