What Are Covid Quarantine Rules
Wen: Quarantine applies to a person who has been in close contact with someone infected with the coronavirus. Close contact, according to the CDC, means you`ve been within 6 feet of someone with Covid-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. At the beginning of the pandemic, recommendations were that people exposed to Covid-19 quarantine themselves from others and not be in public. For example, a person in need of “quarantine” has been defined as someone who has not been diagnosed with Covid-19 but has significant exposure. “The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly and has the potential to affect all facets of our society. The CDC`s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine compensate for what we know about the spread of the virus and protection through vaccination and booster doses. These updates allow people to go about their daily lives safely. Prevention is our best option: getting vaccinated, getting stronger, wearing a mask in indoor public spaces in areas with high and high transmission in the community, and getting tested before gathering. “What should people do with the required end of quarantine if they have been exposed? How long should they be isolated if infected? What is the reason for these changes? And are there any exceptions that should take precautions beyond the new recommendations? Now, a person with a known exposure no longer needs to be quarantined, but they must have a 10-day masking period. CNN: Can you remind us of the difference between quarantine and isolation? Different settings or groups with different isolation and quarantine recommendations: Some cities are discussing a return to indoor masking. Here`s what you need to know. This page describes the difference between isolation and quarantine and why both are important. The following guidelines apply for use by the general public.
Some high-risk settings or groups may require the option of isolation or 10-day quarantine. Recommendations for these groups can be found in the Ministry of Health`s guidelines What to do if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and What to do if you test positive for COVID-19. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate to protect others. If you have been exposed, you should be tested and may need to be quarantined. People who are doing 5-day isolation or quarantine should avoid activities where you cannot wear a mask and avoid being around people at high risk of serious illness until after day 10. These recommendations do not apply to specific high-risk settings. Note the following information about isolation or quarantine in health care facilities or other settings for high-risk groups (gatherings): These isolation and quarantine guidelines do not apply in some health care facilities. See CRPD quarantine and isolation guidelines for medical staff. Exclusion from work or quarantine is recommended for certain workers and residents exposed in high-risk environments. Dr. Leana Wen: It effectively ended the quarantine for people exposed to Covid-19.
I agree, this is a substantial change to the recommendations. Isolation and quarantine rules may be more restrictive in your area. Check your local COVID-19 website. Although you do not need to quarantine, you must take the following steps: You should quarantine at home for at least 5 days* after your last contact with the person with COVID-19. You can leave quarantine as long as you don`t develop symptoms and wear a well-fitting mask until day 10 when hanging out with others at home and in public. Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, the CDC is shortening the recommended time to isolate the public. People with COVID-19 should self-isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms disappear (without fever for 24 hours), follow 5 days of wearing a mask when they are in the presence of others to minimize the risk of infecting the people they meet. The change is scientifically motivated, showing that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of the disease, usually within 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and within 2-3 days after. For more information on isolation and quarantine, including activities to avoid during your isolation or quarantine period, see the Ministry of Health`s guidance on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 and what to do if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
You can also visit the CDC`s Quarantine and Isolation page. The new guidelines state that a person exposed to someone with Covid-19 no longer needs to quarantine at home, away from others.