Guide to Quarantine
Throughout this pandemic, we have heard varying information surrounding the best and safest ways to protect ourselves and each other to end the devastation of the novel Coronavirus. Guidelines have been updated as experts have tirelessly conducted research into the virus and the ways in which it spreads and incubates. One of the most important mitigation strategies public health experts have been stressing for months is a quarantine period of fourteen days, or two weeks, for those who have had COVID-19 or been exposed to someone who has contracted the virus.
This recommendation came quickly after evidence showed that individuals can develop an infection as many as fourteen days after being exposed. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced an update to the guidelines. While the safest option remains quarantining for a fourteen day period, there are options that include either a ten or seven day quarantine if certain conditions are met.
We have included the updated quarantine guidance provided by the Minnesota Department of Health below which details the recommendations for all three options. Remember: the safest option is to stay away from others for 14 days. In certain situations, you may end your quarantine after 10 days, or after seven days with a negative COVID-19 test result. You cannot end your quarantine before seven days for any reason.
Some work settings, like health care, have different rules about quarantine. Check with your employer.
You should stay away from others for 14 days if:
- Someone in your home has COVID-19.
- You live in a building with other people, where it’s hard to stay away from others and easy to spread the virus to multiple people, like a long-term care facility.
You may consider being around others after 10 days if:
- You do not have any symptoms.
- You have not had a positive test for COVID-19.
- No one in your home has COVID-19, and you do not live in a building with other people, where it’s hard to stay away from others and easy to spread the virus to multiple people, like a long-term care facility.
Even after 10 days you must still:
- Watch for symptoms through day 14. If you have any symptoms, stay home, separate yourself from others, and get tested right away.
- Continue to wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
You may consider being around others after seven days only if:
- You get tested for COVID-19 at least five full days after you had close contact with someone with COVID-19, and the test is negative.
- You do not have any symptoms.
- You have not had a positive test for COVID-19.
- No one in your home has COVID-19, and you do not live in a building with other people, where it’s hard to stay away from others and easy to spread the virus to multiple people, like a long-term care facility.
Even after seven days you must still:
- Watch for symptoms through day 14. If you have any symptoms, stay home, separate yourself from others, and get tested right away.
- Continue to wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet away from other people.