Science has demonstrated that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the illness, generally within the first few days of infection. In response, the CDC has shortened the recommended time for isolation of people who test positive for COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask around others. The updated recommendations attempt to balance what the CDC knows about the spread of the virus as well as the protections afforded by vaccination. The chart below summarizes the CDC’s guidance:
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(2) and they… |
| (1) If an employee… |
are exposed by contact:
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test positive with symptoms: |
test positive without symptoms: |
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is boosted
OR
received their 2nd dose of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 6 months
OR
received their J&J dose within the last 2 months
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- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test around day 5, if possible.
- If they develop symptoms, they should get a test and stay home.
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- Stay home for 5 days.
- If they have a fever, they should continue to stay home until their fever resolves.
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- Stay home for 5 days.
- If they have no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after 5 days, they can leave the house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
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is unvaccinated
OR
received their 2nd dose of Pfizer or Moderna over 6 months ago and they are not boosted
OR
received their J&J dose over 2 months ago and they are not boosted
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- Stay home for 5 days.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 more days.
- If they cannot quarantine, they must wear a mask for 10 days.
- Test on day 5, if possible.
- If they develop symptoms, they should get a test and stay home.
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- Stay home for 5 days.
- If they have a fever, they should continue to stay home until their fever resolves.
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- Stay home for 5 days.
- If they have no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after 5 days, they can leave the house.
- Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
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Importantly, the revised isolation and quarantine period recommendations do not address a situation where an individual tests positive and is symptomatic beyond five days. In that situation, employers should continue to follow the prior symptom-based strategy for ending isolation.
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