CDC shortens recommended isolation, quarantine period for COVID-19 infected patients amid staffing shortages

The CDC cut the recommended isolation time for people with COVID-19 from 10 days to five days on Monday amid a surge in omicron cases nationwide.

The updated guidance comes as industries, including major airlines during the holiday season, experience severe staffing shortages because of omicron cases. Multiple airlines have delayed or canceled hundreds of flights nationwide at the height of the Christmas travel season.

Individuals who are infected may now isolate for just five days if they’re asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around other people.

In addition, only people who have received a booster shot are exempted from quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19.

For everyone else – including people who are six months out from their second mRNA dose or two months out from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine – a five-day quarantine period is now recommended instead of 10 days. – READ MORE