Table 1

Categorisation of communicable disease control measures

Voluntary/AdvisoryCompulsory/Mandatory
Measures targeted at identifiable individuals or facilitiesActions and behaviours among identified or suspected cases, and contacts of cases:

  • Hygiene measures (including wearing facemasks)

  • Physical distancing (ie, measures to reduce the degree and frequency of physical proximity with other people, including working from home)

  • Isolation or quarantine

Actions and behaviours required of identified or suspected cases, and contacts of cases:

  • Hygiene measures (including wearing facemasks)

  • Physical distancing (ie, measures to reduce the degree and frequency of physical proximity with other people, including working from home)

  • Isolation or quarantine


Closure of identifiable premises deemed to be a confirmed or potential source of infection
Measures applied indiscriminately to a general population or areaActions and behaviours in general population(s):

  • Hygiene measures (as above)

  • Physical distancing (as above)

  • Refrain from non-essential travel

  • Avoid gatherings of people

Actions and behaviours in general populations:

  • Hygiene measures (as above)

  • Physical distancing (as above)


Geographic containment
Home confinement
Prohibition of gatherings and closure of establishments and premises