As an example, the WHO said the quarantine period could be shortened to 10 days without a test, and to seven days with a negative test, if the person is asymptomatic. The UN agency said new guidelines may be helpful for places where essential services are under pressure.

The world had recorded more than 422 million COVID-19 infections and 5.8 million deaths as of Saturday with the US, India, and Brazil continuing to be the hardest hit countries.