CDC Announces Big Changes To COVID-19 Quarantine And Isolation Guidelines

On Monday (12/27/21), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) announced big changes to shorten the recommended quarantine and isolation periods associated with COVID-19 exposure and infection. According to the CDC press release, the shortened quarantine and isolation periods are backed by science, which demonstrates that, in the majority of cases, transmission of the virus occurs one to two days prior to the onset of symptoms and two to three days after symptom onset.

The updated CDC guidelines are as follows:

ISOLATION

Regardless of vaccination status, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is recommended to take the following steps:

Isolate and stay home for five days.
If you have no symptoms OR your symptoms are resolving and you do not have a fever, you can leave your house and end your isolation period after five days.
Continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.

QUARANTINE

I. If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 AND:

Have been boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months OR completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson (“J&J”) vaccine within the last two months:

You do not need to quarantine.
Wear a mask around others for ten days.
If possible, get tested on day five from exposure.
If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home.

II. If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 AND:

Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over six months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over two months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:

Stay home and quarantine for five days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.
If quarantine is not feasible, you must wear a mask around others for ten days.
If possible, get tested on day five from exposure.
If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

The CDC has shortened the recommended isolation period from ten days to five days.
The CDC has also shortened the recommended quarantine period for certain individuals from 14 days to five days.
Individuals who are eligible for, but have not received their booster shot, are treated the same as unvaccinated people for purposes of quarantine. Previously, fully vaccinated individuals who had not received their booster could avoid quarantine after exposure. Now, only people who have been boosted (if eligible) are able to avoid quarantine.
The CDC provides some leeway where a five-day quarantine is “not feasible” and allows these individuals to instead wear a mask for ten days after exposure.

The Labor and Employment team at McGrath North is available to answer questions as COVID-19 issues continue to develop and arise in the workplace. We are also able to assist in developing and/or revising your current COVID-19 policies to reflect the updated CDC guidance.