Quarantine and isolation helps protect the public by preventing contact with people who have or may have COVID-19. CDC’s COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation (Q&I) Calculator is easy to use and tells you what to do if you have tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms or are a close contact.
What is the difference?
Quarantine
If you were exposed, quarantine and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Isolation
If you are sick, test positive or a close contact and are waiting on test results, isolate even if you don’t have symptoms.
K-12 Schools
Test to Stay is an option K-12 schools can use to, in many cases, safely avoid quarantine and keep students in the classroom after exposure to someone infected with COVID-19. Schools can suspend TTS if less than 10 percent of their student and staff population goes two consecutive weeks without testing positive.
Test to Stay FAQs
Guidance for when a school has 10% or more students and staff absent due to COVID-19 (tested positive or showing symptoms) for two consecutive one-week periods.
Get your questions answered about the program that helps keep healthy kids in school.
Exposure Guidance for School (PDF)
Guidance for when a school has 10% or more students and staff absent due to COVID-19 (tested positive or showing symptoms) for two consecutive one-week periods.
Teachers and students can eliminate quarantines under specific conditions.
Isolation (Positive Test) Guidance for School (PDF)
Helps COVID-positive teachers and students return to school sooner.
Quarantine
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IF YOU Were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations |
Quarantine for at least 5 days Stay home Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home Get tested |
After quarantine Watch for symptoms Avoid travel If you develop symptoms |
Take precautions until day 10 Wear a mask If you must travel during days 6-10, take precautions. Avoid being around people who are at high risk
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IF YOU Were exposed to COVID-19 and are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations |
No quarantine Get tested |
Watch for symptoms If you develop symptoms |
Take precautions until day 10 Wear a mask Take precautions if traveling Avoid being around people who are at high risk |
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IF YOU Were exposed to COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test) |
No quarantine |
Watch for symptoms If you develop symptoms |
Take precautions until day 10 Wear a mask Take precautions if traveling Avoid being around people who are at high risk |
Isolation
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IF YOU Were exposed to COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test) |
Stay home for at least 5 days Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home. Do not travel.
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Ending isolation if you had symptoms Ending isolation if you did NOT have symptoms If you were severely ill with COVID-19 or are immunocompromised
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Take precautions until day 10 Wear a mask Do not travel Avoid being around people who are at high risk
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