Home / COVID-19 / Isolation and Quarantine – Frequently Asked Questions

Used to separate someone infected with the virus (sick with COVID-19 and asymptomatic) from people who are not infected. Individuals should stay home from work, school and activities. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others by staying in a specific ‘sick room’ or area and use a separate bathroom (if available). Practice physical distancing from household members and pets, improve ventilation and do not share personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils.   

A strategy used to prevent COVID-19 transmission by keeping people who have been exposed apart from others.

Someone who has been within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 (laboratory-confirmed or clinical diagnosis) for a cumulative 15 minutes in a 24-hour period, regardless of face coverings or other physical barriers, starting 48 hours prior to:

Anyone who lives, or lived temporarily with the COVID-19 case for at least one night in the same room or household during the infectious period should be reported as close contacts.  

If they have received an additional dose if immunocompromised or received a booster at regular time points as recommended. A booster is a subsequent dose administered to enhance or restore protection by the primary vaccination which might have waned over time. All persons 12 and older should receive a COVID-19 booster, even if they were <12 years old at the time of the primary series. Individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised should get an additional primary and booster dose.  

When they are not vaccinated, they have only received one dose or just the 2-dose series of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) or a single dose of Janssen vaccine and not the booster per the recommended schedule. If not up to date, the CDC has different recommendations for quarantine.  

No, individuals who had a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within the past 90 days who have subsequently recovered and no longer have COVID-19 symptoms do not need to quarantine following an exposure.

No. Individuals ages 5–11 years who completed a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination series, or others who are not currently eligible for a booster but completed a Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, or Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccination series are included in the group of people who do not need to quarantine after a close contact with someone with COVID-19 because they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.

When calculating isolation, day 0 is the first day of symptoms or when the test was done for a positive viral test in an asymptomatic individual. Day 1 is the first full day after symptoms developed or test specimen was collected. 

When calculating quarantine, the date of last exposure is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after the last contact with a person who has COVID-19.  

Evidence shows that the majority of transmission occurs during the early periods of infection. These recommendations come as variants are rapidly spreading throughout the U.S. causing high case rates. Recommendations reflect the societal impact (e.g., critical infrastructure and staffing shortages) and latest science on the severity and time period a person is infectious. The CDC continues to evaluate recommendations as data become available.

The general population in the community, including workplaces and K-12 schools. It does not apply to health care settings, correctional institutions or homeless shelters. The CDC provides separate, specific guidance for these settings.

People who cannot wear a mask, including children <2 years old and people of any age with certain disabilities, should isolate (if infected) and quarantine (if exposed) for 10 days.

People with severe COVID-19 illness (e.g., requiring hospitalization, intensive care or ventilation support) should isolate for at least 10 days and may need to isolate longer after symptom onset. Consult a health care provider to determine the duration of isolation.

Not intended for people who are immunocompromised who might have a longer infectious period. For guidance on moderately or severely immunocompromised people with COVID-19 in non-health care settings: Ending Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19: Interim Guidance .

No. Avoid travel for at least 10 days after symptoms started or a positive test when in isolation.

Travel should be avoided during the 5-day quarantine period, regardless of vaccination status. It is recommended to get tested at least 5 days after the last close contact with the positive person and make sure the test result is negative and there are no symptoms before travelling. If unable to test, delay travel until 10 days after last exposure. If travel can not be avoided, a well-fitting mask must be worn around others for the entire 10 days. If unable to wear a mask, travel should be avoided during the 10 days. 

No. 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. 

Can I remove my mask after the 5 days of isolation or quarantine? 

No. Avoid places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants and some gyms, and avoid eating around others at home and work until 10 days after last close contact. 

It fits snugly against the face. Masks should not have gaps which can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges. A mask should have layers to stop respiratory droplets from getting in and others’ out. For more information: http://staging.aahealth.org/facemasks . 

You should quarantine for 10 days. 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. 

Wear a mask for 10 days while home and in public.

The most effective steps individuals can take to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including variants, include: 

For more information about Isolation and Quarantine, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html#isolation .

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