CDC Updates COVID Guidance

On Thursday August 11th, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released updated guidance in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may impact your workplace policies. While still acknowledging that the pandemic is over, the rate of vaccination, protection from past infection and treatments available, are factors in the change of guidance. Here are some of the changes:

• Individuals not up to date with their COVID vaccines no longer need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19- unless they feel sick. Instead, individuals should wear masks and test on day 5.
• Individuals no longer need to ‘socially distance’ 6 feet away from others.
• Infected individuals should isolate for 5 days, but can end the isolation on day 6 if you have not had symptoms or a fever for 24 hours, or if symptoms have improved. However, the CDC recommends wearing a mask through day 10, unless the individual has tested negative consecutively.
• Those who tested positive and have: a weakened immune system, experienced shortness of breath, or required hospitalization should isolate for 10 days.
• If you end isolation, and symptoms return and worsen, you should restart your COVID isolation.
• For schools, the CDC no longer recommends testing teachers and students regularly, unless they are exhibiting symptoms. This ends the “test to stay” initiative.

For further advice on updating your workplace policies, contact the attorneys through our Ask an Attorney Portal.