Quarantine

===The United Nations and the Siracusa Principles===
Guidance on when and how human rights can be restricted to prevent the spread of infectious disease is found in the [[Siracusa Principles]], a non-binding document developed by the [[Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights]] and adopted by the [[United Nations Economic and Social Council]] in 1984.<ref>[http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4672bc122.html United Nations Economic and Social Council UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, "The Siracusa Principles on the limitation and derogation provisions in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," Section I.A.12 UN Doc. E/CN.4/1985/4, Annex. Geneva, Switzerland: UNHCR; 1985.] ''www.unhcr.org'', accessed 5 February 2020</ref> The Siracusa Principles state that restrictions on human rights under the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]] must meet standards of legality, [[evidence-based practice|evidence-based necessity]], proportionality, and gradualism, noting that public health can be used as grounds for limiting certain rights if the state needs to take measures 'aimed at preventing disease or injury or providing care for the sick and injured.' Limitations on rights (such as quarantine) must be 'strictly necessary,' meaning that they must:
* respond to a pressing public or social need (health)
* [[Proportionality (law)|proportionately]] pursue a legitimate aim (prevent the spread of infectious disease)
* be the [[least restrictive means]] required for achieving the purpose of the limitation
* be provided for and carried out in accordance with the law
* be neither arbitrary nor discriminatory
* only limit rights that are within the jurisdiction of the state seeking to impose the limitation.<ref>{{Cite journal |pmc = 4463097|year = 2013|last1 = Todrys|first1 = K. W.|title = Failing Siracusa: Governments' obligations to find the least restrictive options for tuberculosis control|journal = Public Health Action|volume = 3|issue = 1|pages = 7–10|last2 = Howe|first2 = E.|last3 = Amon|first3 = J. J.|pmid = 26392987|doi = 10.5588/pha.12.0094}}</ref>

In addition, when quarantine is imposed, public health ethics specify that:
* all restrictive actions must be well-supported by data and [[scientific evidence]]
* all information must be made available to the public
* all actions must be explained clearly to those whose rights are restricted and to the public
* all actions must be subject to regular review and reconsideration.

Finally, the state is ethically obligated to guarantee that:
* infected people will not be threatened or abused
* [[basic needs]] such as food, water, medical care, and preventive care will be provided
* communication with loved ones and with caretakers will be permitted
* constraints on freedom will be applied equally, regardless of social considerations
* patients will be compensated fairly for economic and material losses, including salary.<ref>M. Pabst Battin, Leslie P. Francis, Jay A. Jacobson, ''The Patient as Victim and Vector: Ethics and Infectious Disease,'' Oxford University Press, 2009. {{ISBN|019533583X}}</ref>