Utah public health officials have released updated guidelines for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine in light of updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines released last week.

“We’ve worked with many different groups this week to review the changes CDC recommended. Together with the Governor’s office, state and local public health leaders, healthcare leaders, and education officials we worked to make a plan that will work best for Utah,” Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health, said in a press release. “These guidelines are effective immediately for schools, businesses, and community members. Additional guidelines for healthcare workers, immunocompromised people, and those who work or live in a congregate setting, like a prison or long-term care facility, are forthcoming.”

Under the guidelines, which were updated on Dec. 29, those who are exposed to COVID-19 have different guidance depending on the individual’s age and COVID-19 vaccination status. However, public health officials recommend that anyone exposed to COVID-19 get tested five days after exposure and wear a mask around others.

• Anyone who has been fully vaccinated doesn’t need to quarantine at home, they can continue to work and go about their normal activities. However, it is recommended that they wear a mask for at least 10 days after exposure.
• Anyone who is not fully vaccinated should quarantine at home for five days after exposure. They can cease quarantine after five days if they are symptom-free, but should wear a mask for five days after the end of quarantine. Students should wear a mask at school for the 10 days following exposure.

The updated guidelines state that those who test positive for COVID-19 should:

• Stay home for five days after the date of testing, even if they have no symptoms. They can end their quarantine if their symptoms have improved over those five days, or if they have remained symptom free.
• Wear a mask around others for the five days after quarantine.

According to Nolen, these changes in guidance have come as UDOH has gained more knowledge about COVID-19, and specifically the omicron variant, which is still relatively new.

“Data continues to show vaccination protects you from severe illness, which means fewer people miss work and school, or are at risk of hospitalization. Other countries have seen that prior infection alone is not sufficient to protect you from this variant,” Nolen said. “Please get tested if you have symptoms or if you’ve been exposed to someone with it. Stay home if at all possible if you’re sick, test positive, or have been exposed to COVID-19. We encourage everyone to wear a mask around others, so we can minimize the number of Utahns who get sick from COVID-19 in the coming weeks.”

UDOH has stated that if the CDC changes its guidance regarding isolation and quarantine, particularly for the general public and school settings, UDOH will also revisit its guidance.

To read the updated UDOH COVID-19 guidelines, visit http://coronavirus.utah.gov.

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