Quarantine and Isolation Instructions

What to do if you have COVID-19

• Follow the self-isolation instructions if you have tested positive for COVID-19. This includes identifying your close contacts and notifying them to self-quarantine.

• If you have had symptoms, you may return to work or school when at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, AND at least 24 hours have passed with no fever (without use of fever-reducing medications), AND other symptoms have improved.

• If you never develop symptoms, you may return to work or school 10 days after the date of your first positive test.

What to do if you had contact with someone who has COVID-19

• Follow the self-quarantine instructions if you are a close contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

• You may return to work or school 10* days after your last exposure if you have no symptoms.

• However, vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they meet both of the following criteria^†:

  • Are fully vaccinated (more than 2 weeks since their second dose in a 2-dose series)       
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure

  Persons who do not meet both of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

*Exceptions:

• Individuals who work in a high risk congregate living setting (skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, and shelters) or persons who work with severely immunosuppressed persons (bone marrow or solid organ transplants, chemotherapy) may end home quarantine 10 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19, but they cannot return to work for 14 days.
• During critical staffing shortages when deemed appropriate by their employer, asymptomatic healthcare workers, emergency response workers, and social service workers who work face-to-face with clients in the child welfare system are not prohibited from returning to work after Day 7 with a negative nucleic acid amplification test (e.g., PCR or LAMP) test result from a specimen collected after Day 5).
• Persons who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition, mental health condition, disability, or being under age two must quarantine for 14 days.
  

Learn about Quarantine and Isolation Orders

Knowledge is Power

• The difference between isolation and quarantine
• Staying safe when you live with someone who has COVID
• What contact tracing means and what to do if you've been exposed, while you're waiting for results and if you test positive 

If You Are in Self-Quarantine or Isolation

There may be instances when you are advised by your medical provider to self-quarantine at home due to possible exposure.

• Follow the self-isolation instructions if you have tested positive for COVID-19.

• Follow the self-quarantine instructions and quarantine order if you are a close contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

• Consult with your health care provider for more information about monitoring your health for symptoms of COVID-19.
• Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc. if you become sick.
• Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs.
• Pay attention to potential COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you develop symptoms, call your medical provider.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately.

In adults, emergency warning signs* include:

1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
2. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
3. New mental confusion or inability to wake someone
4. Bluish lips or face
5. This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe.

If you were directed to care for yourself at home due to COVID-19 symptoms, or suspected that you had coronavirus and were self-isolating, when can isolation end?

• At least 1 day (24 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and,
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

If you were exposed to a person with coronavirus and you are in self--quarantine, you may discontinue under the following conditions:

• At least 10 days after last exposure.
• Individuals who work in a high risk congregate living setting (skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, and shelters) or persons who work with severely immunosuppressed persons (bone marrow or solid organ transplants, chemotherapy) may end home quarantine 10 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19, but they cannot return to work for 14 days.
• During critical staffing shortages when deemed appropriate by their employer, asymptomatic healthcare workers, emergency response workers, and social service workers who work face-to-face with clients in the child welfare system are not prohibited from returning to work after Day 7 with a negative nucleic acid amplification test (e.g., PCR or LAMP) test result from a specimen collected after Day 5).
• Persons who cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition, mental health condition, disability, or being under age two must quarantine for 14 days.
  

Check out these easy resources to determine when you can release from self-isolation or self-quarantine.

If You Are Unable to Work After Being Exposed to COVID-19

Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.

Disability Insurance provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 - $1,300 a week.

Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.

Paid Family Leave provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.

For more information related to resources for California's Employers and Workers, please visit this Labor and Workforce Development Agency webpage.