BCO agreements with GGD
In the Netherlands, the 25 GGDs are responsible for tracing (source and contact tracing) of infections. Source and contact tracing is one of the core tasks of the GGD. It is the daily work of the infectious disease control department at the regional GGDs.
Current rules (dated May 1, 2022)
- For the current rules regarding the consequences of the results of source and contact tracing, we refer to the National Government.
The GGDs carry out source and contact tracing for various infectious diseases. With this research it is possible to detect (possibly) infected persons as quickly as possible and prevent them from infecting others and spreading the disease. During source and contact tracing, the GGD finds out where someone has contracted the infection and investigates with whom the infected person had contact during the contagious period.
Source research
Source research involves finding out where someone may have become infected. With this knowledge, measures can be taken to prevent further spread of an infectious disease.
Contact tracing
Contact tracing involves determining who the infected person has had contact with. This is done to warn and advise people who are at risk of infection as early as possible. For example, about whether or not to stay at home (quarantine and isolation) and testing.
Preparation
- In case of a pandemic, it is advisable to contact the local / regional GGD.
- Good agreements ensure that people are locally / regionally aware of the event in question and targeted source and contact tracing can be carried out. The result is better insights into event-related contamination figures.
- Fieldlab Events has at the time of the pilot events, in collaboration with the GGD, drawn up a national work instruction. This way people knew about the event in question both locally and nationally and targeted source and contact tracking could be carried out. This resulted in better insight into event-related contamination figures.
- Download the document as used by Fieldlab Events here.
Contact tracing
- Organizers can help the GGD enormously by alerting visitors who may have come into contact with a source of contamination.
- This will always go through the organizer's communication channels, because no data can be exchanged due to the GDPR.
- It is recommended to be able to reach visitors who were in the same section or who, for example, had the same start time at a sporting event.
Points of attention
- Is the local/regional GGD aware of the event? And if so, what agreements have been made?
- Is the national GGD informed via the local GGD? And if so, what agreements have been made?
- Is the organizer able to reach the visitors even after the event?
- The regional GGD where the event takes place is leading. They are also the party that can ultimately provide data on infection rates.
- Coordinate communication between the organizer and the GGD.
- For example, it is important to distinguish between a context (someone has tested positive and has been to the event, but not by definition became infected at the event) and an infection.