necessary or only some basic equipment, and i. Allow members of the monitoring body to in some cases, it may not be advisable, such as opt-out from the visit, on the basis of an in- disposable gloves.47 PPE may include surgical dividual assessment. Members of monitoring masks, disposable gloves, full gown protection bodies who belong to at-risk groups (elderly, or medical vest, disposable shoe covers, and those with a chronic condition or immunode- eye protection (such as face shield or goggles).48 ficiency) should take particular precautions, including, if deemed necessary, by excluding f. Undergo medical examination and remain themselves from such visits.53 under close medical attention prior to visits. j. Carefully and meticulously clean and dis- Monitors with any symptoms potentially associated with COVID-19, such as fever, dry cough, infect the vehicle used to transport the body aches, headache, loss of taste and smell, visiting team, before and after the visit. or tiredness, must not participate in the visit 49 2. DURING THE VISIT and should seek COVID-19 testing, if deemed medically necessary. 50 As a regular practice, members of the visiting team should check their During the whole course of the visit, monitors should body temperature within the 24 hours before apply the basic precaution measures recommended by the visit to make sure no sign of fever goes the WHO and respect the principle of physical distanc- unnoticed.51 ing. In addition, monitors should carry hand sanitiser and use it regularly to disinfect their hands (or disinfect/ g. Provide briefings to everyone in the vis- change gloves if relevant) during the course of the visit. iting team ahead of the visit to give a clear Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) understanding of the new procedures. All people involved in the visit need to follow the same precautionary and safety procedures (e.g., use It is important that monitors consider the adequacy and of PPE, medical check-up, monitoring body necessity of wearing PPE for their own protection and temperature). This includes support staff such that of others, while also taking into consideration the as drivers and interpreters. negative effect wearing PPE may have on the perception of the monitoring team and trust of the individuals they h. Consider reducing the size of the visiting are visiting. Monitoring body members should adapt team, and the duration of the visit Due to the use of PPE to the nature of the activities undertaken the particular circumstances of the pandem- (e.g., no close contact, some close contact, individual ic, the monitoring team should include fewer interviews without the possibility of physical distancing). . members than in a usual visit (consider two to The use of PPE can in no way substitute necessary hand three members maximum per visit). This will hygiene, and can carry the risk of providing a false sense also facilitate the physical distancing measures of security for monitors. The NPMs’ PPE protocols will among the visiting team. Having shorter visits depend on contextual factors as well, relating to the can also reduce the risk of transmission.52 measures taken and practices adopted in the places of deprivation of liberty visited. 47 Note that gloves are not generally recommended when conducting visits to places of deprivation of liberty. When wearing gloves, monitors may gain a false sense of security. If not used properly, gloves are likely to become vectors of infection rather than effective protection. Further, wearing gloves will likely negatively affect the perception of the monitors by persons deprived of liberty and staff. 48 WHO, Interim Guidance. 49 WHO, Interim Guidance, page 10. 50 ICRC, COVID-19: Preparedness and response in detention. 51 Ibid. 52 See HMI Guidance. 53 APT, TB paper, page 9. 17