The CDC released updated guidelines for how long individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 should quarantine.
They’ve updated their recommendations to include two options that are shorter than the current 14-day quarantine guidelines in an effort to make it easier for people to quarantine by reducing economic hardship if they are unable to work during their quarantine.
Below is the information provided on the CDC’s website for individuals who have had in close contact with an infected person:
Stay home and monitor your health
- Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
- Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.
Local public health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantine should last in the communities they serve, based on local conditions and needs. The CDC instructs individuals to follow the recommendations of local public health department if they need to quarantine.
CDC now recommends two additional options for how long quarantine should last. Based on local availability of viral testing, for people without symptoms, quarantine can end:
- On day 10 without testing
- On day 7 after receiving a negative test result
After stopping quarantine, people should:
- Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.
- If they have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact their local public health authority or healthcare provider.
- Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash their hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
CDC continues to endorse quarantine for 14 days and recognizes that any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden against a small possibility of spreading the virus.
Full details can be found here.
Individuals should follow the guidance of their local health authority and consult with their health care provider in determining the appropriate quarantine period.