COVID-19 Basics

Updated CDC Quarantine & Isolation Guidelines

Sasha Baumann
Published: January 13, 2022

In December 2021, the CDC shortened recommended quarantine and isolation periods. This decision was based on studies that showed two important things about COVID: 

  1. For people exposed to COVID, the average time for symptoms to appear is 4 to 7 days. 
  2. For people with COVID, they are most contagious in the first 5 days after symptom onset. 

As a reminder, quarantine is the separation of someone who has been exposed to COVID-19. Isolation is the separation of someone who is suspected to have COVID-19 or has tested positive for COVID-19 regardless of symptoms. 

So you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. Now what? 

If you are vaccinated AND boosted over 2 weeks ago:

  • You do not need to quarantine.
  • Get a COVID test on day 5. 
  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days after your exposure.

If you are vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster OR a fully vaccinated 5-11 year old:

  • You do not need to quarantine.
  • Get a COVID test on day 5. 
  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days after your exposure.

If you are unvaccinated, vaccinated with two doses of Pfizer or Moderna over 5 months ago, vaccinated with one dose of J&J over 2 months ago, OR boosted less than 2 weeks ago: (Basically everybody else)

  • Quarantine for 5 days after your exposure by staying home.
  • Get a COVID test on day 5. 
  • Then wear a mask around others for 5 more days. 

If you test positive or develop symptoms during quarantine, regardless of vaccination status: 

  • Isolate yourself for 5 days after your positive test or first day of symptoms.
  • After day 5:
    • If your symptoms are improved and you have no fever for at least 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medicines like Tylenol or ibuprofen, you can leave your house. But you should wear a mask around others for 5 more days. 
    • If your symptoms have NOT improved or you still have a fever, continue isolation until the symptoms have improved and the fevers have stopped. Then wear a mask around others for 5 more days. 
  • Although CDC says you do not have to test negative to end your isolation period, we recommend you take a rapid test on day 5 to make sure you likely aren’t contagious. If your rapid test result is positive, you should test yourself every few days and continue to isolate until your test is negative or until day 10 (whichever comes first).

Everyone who has been exposed or tested positive for COVID should avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days. Avoid travel for 10 days.

Last update: January 7, 2022, 12:00 ET

Update review: HAY, ERS, GSN