The meaning of quarantine

Sir, – There is much talk of lifting or amending “the quarantine” on international travellers entering Ireland. This is misleading language, as there is no such thing here. A quarantine is generally taken to be an enforced period of isolation. What we have is a recommendation to self-isolate. It is not mandatory. Can journalists and public health specialists, who know better, please stop misusing the word. It is not a quarantine. – Yours, etc,

Prof BRIAN M LUCEY,

School of Business,

Trinity College Dublin,

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Dublin 2.