On July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance for the employment setting for a fully vaccinated individual who is asymptomatic but was in close contact with someone with COVID-19. While isolation is still not recommended, the CDC now recommends that the individual get tested 3-5 days after the exposure and wear a mask indoors for 14 days or until a negative test is received. The key factor remains that the individual remains asymptomatic.

This updated guidance is outlined in the chart below which addresses return to work scenarios under the current CDC guidance.

*** as of 7/28/2021

Situation

CDC Guidance on Return to Work

Critical Infrastructure

Positive test and symptoms Symptom Based:

  • At least 10 days from the onset of symptoms
  • At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications
  • Improvement in other symptoms

Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart.

Vaccination status does not matter.

Sources:

No Change

No test or negative test and symptoms Symptom Based:

  • At least 10 days from the onset of symptoms
  • At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications
  • Improvement in other symptoms

Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart.

Vaccination status does not matter.

Sources:

No Change

Positive test without symptoms

Time Based: 10 days since positive test

Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart.

Vaccination status does not matter.

Sources:

No Change

Exposed with symptoms Symptom Based:

  • At least 10 days from the onset of symptoms
  • At least 24 hours have passed since resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medications
  • Improvement in other symptoms

Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart.

Vaccination status does not matter.

Sources:

No Change

Exposed without symptoms

If in “close contact” with someone who has tested positive (defined as within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 period starting from 2 days before illness onset or positive test), 10 days after exposure or 7 days after exposure if negative test is obtained (test can be taken within 48 hours of planned end of quarantine).

But no isolation needed if:

  • The individual has been fully vaccinated, or
  • The individual has a prior positive diagnosis within last 3 months and has no ongoing symptoms

However, fully vaccinated employees should be tested 3-5 days following the known exposure and should wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.

Sources:

Can continue to work as long as they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are taken (e.g., mask for 14 days and social distancing)

But no additional precautions needed (as long as they remain asymptomatic) if

  • The individual has a prior positive diagnosis within last 3 months and has no ongoing symptoms

However, fully vaccinated employees should be tested 3-5 days following the known exposure and should wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.