While most quarantine at home when they get COVID-19, some may be forced to quarantine in a cell in Mississippi. The Mississippi State Department of Health issued an isolation order on Friday that would have patients with the virus face jail time and a fine if they don't isolate for a minimum of 10 days.
The state and health department said that as soon as someone tests positive for the virus, they must go into at least a 10-day isolation; if not, they could receive a $500 fine, six months in jail, or both.
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The order applies to all people regardless of vaccination status, the state health department said, Fox13 reported.
To leave the 10-day isolation, patients do not need to test negative, but they must be fever-free for 24 hours and see an improvement in their symptoms, the MDH said.
All Mississippi schools K-12 are required to exclude students and staff who have tested positive for the virus during their isolation period, according to MDH.
The MDH also said that if a life-threatening disease is involved, then not obeying the lawful order of a health officer is considered a felony in the state. This is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000, five years in prison, or both.
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