CDC issues new Covid safety recommendations; California to follow them

After the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new recommendations Monday for the general public on quarantines and isolation, California officials said the state will update its own guidelines accordingly.

The new guidelines apply to everyone, including children. It remains to be seen how schools will amend their own guidelines on quarantines and isolation in light of the new guidelines.

For people who test positive for Covid-19 but remain without symptoms, the CDC is recommending they isolate for only five days rather than 10, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. The change was prompted by research showing the majority of Covid transmission occurs in the one-to-two days prior to the onset of symptoms and the two-to-three days after.

The CDC also updated its quarantine guidelines for people exposed to Covid-19. For people who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends quarantining for five days, followed by five days of strict mask use. If that’s not feasible, the CDC said, the individual should wear a well-fitting mask at all times around others for 10 days after the exposure.

People who are fully vaccinated and have had a booster do not need to quarantine following exposure, the CDC said, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

For everyone who becomes exposed to Covid, the CDC recommends getting a test within at least five days after the exposure. If they develop symptoms, they should quarantine until they get a negative test confirming they don’t have Covid.