The Hopewell Borough Board of Health adopted an ordinance on Monday evening aimed at preventing the spread of infectious disease. The ordinance, based on the New Jersey state model, would allow for the implementation and enforcement of isolation and quarantine for individuals exposed to communicable diseases.
Individuals who are actively showing symptoms of an infectious disease would be subject to isolation, while quarantine would be used if an individual has been exposed to an infectious disease but is not presenting symptoms. The enforcement of isolation and quarantine will be pursued by the least restrictive means necessary to prevent the spread of infectious disease.
Health Officer Stephanie D. Carey, M.P.H., stated, “The power of quarantine has been in place for over a century, but previously Constitutional rights were not necessarily compatible with protection. With this ordinance, there will still be the ability to swiftly quarantine, while still respecting individual rights.” She added, “Quarantine is a ring of protection, a firewall that protects the rest of the general public.”
Reporting requirements for communicable diseases can found here:
