
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidance for isolation and quarantine relating to COVID-19 on December 27, 2021, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) did not follow suit until yesterday, January 4, 2022. In an interim guidance document made available online and sent to local health departments, school districts, congregate care settings and healthcare providers, NYSDOH stated that it is “aligning with CDC’s updated isolation and quarantine recommendations” but, because CDC guidance is in flux and expected to be updated as further evidence relating to the current surge is gathered, NYSDOH’s policy is being issued on an interim basis and is subject to change.
Isolation for the General Population
NYSDOH now requires that a person who tests positive for COVID-19 or experiences symptoms of COVID-19 isolate for five days after symptom onset or, if asymptomatic, after receiving a positive test. Subsequently:
Quarantine for the General Population
If a person is exposed to COVID-19, quarantine requirements depend on the individual’s vaccination status. Specifically:
If symptoms develop for someone who was exposed to COVID-19, the person should continue quarantining (or begin/return to quarantine, as applicable) and seek testing. Quarantine will end if a negative result is received. If a person does not test, or tests positive, they must follow the isolation procedures described above.
Quarantine and Isolation for Healthcare Workers
On December 24, 2021, NYSDOH updated its guidance for quarantine and isolation of healthcare workers and “other critical workforce.” That guidance is no longer applicable to “other critical workforce” members and those individuals should now follow the January 4th guidance. However, the December 24th guidance remains in effect for healthcare workers.
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If you have any questions concerning quarantine and isolation requirements, please contact Jessica M. Baquet at (516) 393-8292 or jbaquet@jaspanllp.com.