Legal Definitions - quarantine

Quarantine refers to the enforced isolation or restriction of movement for individuals, animals, or goods to prevent the spread of disease, pests, or other harmful agents.

The term can also refer to:

• The specific place or facility where such isolation is carried out.
• Historically, a period of 40 days, particularly for ships or people suspected of carrying contagious diseases.
• Historically, in English common law, a widow's right to remain in her deceased husband's principal residence for 40 days after his death while her dower (her legal share of his estate) was being determined.

Examples:

• Public Health Isolation: During a global health crisis, a traveler arriving at an international airport tests positive for a highly contagious respiratory virus. Public health officials mandate that this individual must isolate themselves in a designated medical facility for a specific period, even if they show mild symptoms, to prevent further transmission to the community.

  This illustrates the primary meaning of quarantine as the isolation of a person afflicted with a communicable disease to prevent its spread.

• Animal Disease Prevention: A family relocating from a country where certain animal diseases are prevalent decides to bring their pet cat. Upon arrival in their new country, the cat is required to spend several weeks in a government-approved animal facility, undergoing health checks and observation, even though it appears healthy and has all its vaccinations.

  This demonstrates quarantine as a preventative measure, isolating an animal to ensure it does not introduce a disease into a new area, even if it is not currently showing symptoms.

• Historical Widow's Right: In 14th-century England, after a knight died in battle, his widow was legally entitled to remain in the family's main castle for 40 days following his death. During this "widow's quarantine," the estate's administrators would assess the knight's assets and formally assign the widow her rightful portion of the property as her dower.

  This example illustrates the historical legal meaning of quarantine as a temporary right for a widow to reside in her deceased husband's home while her inheritance was being settled.