On December 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) announced new guidance for isolation and quarantine for those infected with, or exposed to, COVID-19. The CDC has shortened its prior recommendation of isolation and quarantine periods of up to 14 days as follows:
- Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) should stay home for 5 days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house but continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
- If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have received a booster, 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, you do not need to quarantine but you should wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and 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, you should stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you can’t quarantine, you should wear a mask for 10 days.
- For anyone exposed to COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) the CDC also recommends testing on day five. If symptoms develop following exposure, individuals should immediately quarantine and test.
A negative test result is not required to return to work per CDC guidelines. Rather, the employee must complete the operative isolation period and then can return to work.