The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has again updated its COVID-19 guidance to shorten its recommended isolation and quarantine periods for persons infected with COVID-19 or who have been in close contact with someone who is infected, respectively. The agency said, "The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after." Here's what employers should know.
Isolation Time Changes
The CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation for an infected person from 10 days to 5 days, as long as the person remains asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. For persons who are in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19, the CDC has updated its quarantine recommendations to address the vaccine booster shot.
Changes for Those With Boosters
The CDC does not recommend that any person who has received their booster shot quarantine following an exposure. The agency said, "Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure."
New Recommendations for Unvaccinated or Those Without Boosters
For someone who is unvaccinated or more than six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and has not yet received a booster shot, the CDC now recommends the person quarantine for 5 days followed by "strict" mask use for an additional 5 days thereafter. Alternatively, the CDC recommends that if a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, then the exposed person wear a "well-fitting" mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.
Previously, the "no-quarantine" recommendation applied to persons who were fully vaccinated.
The CDC also recommends as a "best practice" that anyone exposed to COVID-19 should be tested at day 5 after exposure. And, if any exposed person becomes symptomatic, the CDC recommends that person should immediately quarantine until a negative test.
Key Takeaways for Employers
The two main takeaways for employers from the updated CDC guidance are that:
- an asymptomatic employee infected with COVID-19 is only required to isolate and remain out of work for only 5 days, and
- fully vaccinated employees who are in close contact with an infected person now can only avoid quarantine and staying off work if they have received their COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
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