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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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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
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.
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