CDC Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Periods

On December 27, the CDC updated its isolation and quarantine guidance, reducing recommended isolation from 10 days to 5 days for asymptomatic people and a 5-day quarantine period for people exposed to COVID-19.

Here are the new guidelines:

ISOLATE

If You Test Positive for COVID-19

Who:

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

What to do:

Stay home for 5 days.
If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

QUARANTINE If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19
Who:	Anyone who is fully vaccinated/boosted, defined as: Have been boosted OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
What to do:	Wear a mask around others for 10 days. Test on day 5, if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.


Who:	Anyone considered not fully vaccinated, defined as: Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR Are unvaccinated
What to do:	Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days. Test on day 5 if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home

The CDC is not requiring a negative test to end isolation due to the fact that positive PCR tests can remain positive for up to 12-weeks after initial infection.

Read more about the updated guidance here.

COVID-19 information pages are no longer updated.

See the CDC's COVID website for current information and trends.