CDC Shortens COVID-19 Quarantine Time, Sets New Travel Guidance

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and Richard Saitz, MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM

The CDC has shortened the minimum amount of time people have to quarantine after a potential COVID-19 exposure from 14 days to as few as 7 days.

The new guidance says that people can come out of quarantine after 7 days postexposure if they have no symptoms and have a negative PCR or antigen test result; the specimen for testing may be collected as early day 5. Without a test, people can end their quarantine at 10 days if they still have no symptoms. The agency says that 14 days is still optimal.

"One of our hopes is that we can increase adherence to quarantine if we reduce the amount of time they have to spend [quarantined]," said Dr. Henry Walke, the CDC's COVID-19 Incident Manager.

In addition, the agency has released new travel guidance in advance of the holidays. In short, the CDC recommends postponing winter travel. But people who do choose to travel should consider getting a COVID-19 test 1–3 days before traveling and another test 3–5 days after traveling. They should limit their nonessential activities for 7 days after travel, even if they test negative. If they do not get tested, nonessential activities should be restricted for 10 days.