Do You Still Need to Quarantine After COVID Exposure? Here's What New CDC Guidelines Say

Do you still need to quarantine if you were exposed to COVID?

The guidelines have changed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC changed its recommendations last week, releasing new guidance for people who were potentially exposed.

“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” Greta Massetti, PhD, the branch chief of the CDC's Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch, said in a statement. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.”

So which protocols should you follow if you test positive or were a close contact of someone who did?

Here's a breakdown:

Do you need to quarantine?

The CDC previously said that if people who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations come into close contact with a person who tests positive, they should stay home for at least five days. Now the agency says quarantining at home is not necessary, but it urges those people to wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested after five.

When do you need to isolate?

According to the CDC, regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19. You should also isolate if you are sick or suspect that you have COVID-19 but are waiting on test results.

It's important to note that if you were exposed to COVID-19, the Food and Drug Administration now recommends you take three home tests instead of two to make sure you’re not infected.

The new guidance applies to people without symptoms who think they may have been exposed.

Previously, the FDA had advised taking two rapid antigen tests over two or three days to rule out infection. But the agency says new studies suggest that protocol can miss too many infections, and could result in people spreading the coronavirus to others, especially if they don't develop symptoms.

How long should you isolate?

If you test positive for COVID-19, the guidance states that you should stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first five days.

When you end isolation, you should still avoid being around people who are most at-risk until at least day 11.

After you have ended isolation, you'll also need to wear a mask through day 10, per the guidelines. The CDC also notes, however, that if you have access to antigen tests, "you should consider using them."

"With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10," the guidance states, adding that if your antigen test results are positive, "you may still be infectious."

Those who continue to test positive should continue masking.

"You should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test," the CDC recommends. "Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have two sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10."

If your symptoms worsen or return after you end isolation, you'll need to restart your isolation at day 0, per the guidelines.

How do you calculate isolation time?

The CDC states that isolation for those who have COVID is counted in days, but it depends on if you have symptoms.

If you have no symptoms:

• Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
• Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
• If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset

If you have symptoms:

• Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
• Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started

What does isolation include?

• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
• Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask.
• Do not travel.
• Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
• Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
• Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.

What do you need to do to end isolation?

If you had no symptoms, you can end isolation after day 5, according to the CDC.

If you had symptoms, however, you can only end isolation after day 5 if:

• You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
• Your symptoms are improving

If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve, the guidelines state.

How severe your symptoms are can also play a role.

If you had moderate illness - such as shortness of breath or difficulty breathing - or severe illness, including hospitalization due to COVID-19, or if you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.

If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, you'll want to consult your doctor before ending isolation as you may need a viral test to do so.