Updated CDC Guidance on Quarantine Length for Exposed Individuals

By Chris Mann on July 28, 2021

On July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for the employment setting for a fully vaccinated individual who is asymptomatic but was in close contact with someone with COVID-19. While isolation is still not recommended, the CDC now recommends that the individual get tested 3-5 days after the exposure and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until a negative test is received. The key factor remains that the individual remains asymptomatic.

This updated guidance is outlined in the chart below which addresses return to work scenarios under the current CDC guidance.

Situation	CDC Guidance on Return to Work	Critical Infrastructure
Positive test and symptoms	Symptom Based: At least 10 days from the onset of symptoms At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications Improvement in other symptoms Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Vaccination status does not matter Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html	No change
No test or negative test and symptoms	Symptom Based: At least 10 days from the onset of symptoms At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications Improvement in other symptoms Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Vaccination status does not matter Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html	No change
Positive test without symptoms	Time Based: 10 days since positive test Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Vaccination status does not matter Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html	No change
Exposed with symptoms	Symptom Based: At least 10 days from the onset of symptoms At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications Improvement in other symptoms Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Vaccination status does not matter Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html	No change

*** as of 7/28/2021