Students are expected to abide by the CDC's quarantine guidance. This guidance indicates that an individual should quarantine in the following circumstances:
- Being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24- hour period;
- Providing care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19;
- Having direct physical contact with a person who has COVID-19 (e.g., hugging or kissing);
- Sharing eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19; and
- Someone with COVID-19 sneezing, coughing, or otherwise getting respiratory droplets on the individual.
Consistent with updated CDC guidance, an individual must quarantine for five full days if they are a close contact with a person infected with COVID-19 (i.e., less than six feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period). Day 1 is the first full day after exposure.
If a close contact does not develop symptoms, they may end quarantine after five full days but should continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a face mask around others for at least five additional days. Also, if possible and available, an asymptomatic close contact should consider getting a COVID-19 test at least five days after the exposure.
Certain people are exempt from these quarantine requirements, as follows:
- Ages 18 or older who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
- Ages 5-17 years who have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
- People who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days.
If a close contact develops symptoms at any point after being exposed to an infected person, they should get tested and immediately begin isolation until they receive test results. If the test is positive, the isolation guidance should be followed.