Social distancing and quarantine are not new concepts.
Aerial view of Banje Beach in Croatia.
The walled buildings on the left are the lazarettos, or quarantine quarters.
The authorities realized this and decided to build a few wooden dwellings.
This was surrounded by a high wall to prevent escapes.
They appointed three healthcare officers to supervise the implementation and compliance with quarantine provisions.
Those who violated the rules or did not comply were penalized with prison sentences.
The decree also introduced lockdownthe prohibition of goods from entering the Republic for the entire duration of the epidemic.
Yet, authorities felt it was their moral duty to protect the people from the epidemic.
Photo:Anamaria Mejia/Shutterstock.com
Originally, the waiting period was fixed at 30 days (atrentine).
Later, it was extended to 40 days (aquarantena), thus giving birth to the term quarantine.
Others believe the number 40 had religious significance.
When God flooded the earth, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
After Jesus was baptized, he went to the desert and spent forty days in the wild without eating.
According to current estimates, the bubonic plague had a 37-day period from infection to death.
The government relocated Gruz, because Dubrovnik had become too infected to live.
In 1590, another lazaretto was built in Ploce, about 2km from Dubrovnik, and completed in 1642.
It contained 10 multistory buildings, separated by courtyards and with their own sewage system and guards.
All goods that entered the city was aired, fumigated, and soaked.
The Ragusans took pride in the fact that after construction of the lazaretto, instances of plague fell drastically.
The lazaretto in Ploce still exist, and today are used for recreation and entertainment.
