Quarantine Duration After COVID-19 Exposure
The CDC recommends a 14-day quarantine period after last contact with a person who has COVID-19 if you remain asymptomatic, but offers shortened options: 10 days without testing or 7 days with a negative test result. 1
Standard Quarantine Duration
- The 14-day quarantine remains the gold standard based on the incubation period of SARS-CoV-2, during which exposed individuals may develop infection and become contagious 1
- This recommendation applies to individuals who have had close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 and remain asymptomatic throughout the quarantine period 2, 1
Shortened Quarantine Options
The CDC provides two evidence-based alternatives to reduce the burden of prolonged quarantine:
- 10-day quarantine without testing: You can end quarantine after day 10 from last contact if you remain asymptomatic 2, 1
- 7-day quarantine with testing: You can end quarantine after day 7 if you receive a negative diagnostic test (PCR or antigen) collected on day 5 or later AND remain asymptomatic 2, 1
Supporting Evidence for Shortened Quarantine
Research demonstrates that among household contacts who tested negative and remained asymptomatic through day 7, there was an 81% probability of remaining negative through day 14; this increased to 93% for those asymptomatic with negative tests through day 10 3. Additionally, 76% of positive household contacts tested positive within 7 days, and 86% within 10 days of exposure 3.
Important Exceptions
If you had COVID-19 within the past 3 months, you do not need to quarantine after close contact with someone infected, as long as you do not develop symptoms again 2. This exception recognizes temporary immunity from recent infection.
Testing Strategy During Quarantine
- Get tested immediately if any symptoms develop during the quarantine period 1
- For the 7-day shortened option, testing should be performed on day 5 or later after exposure 2, 1
- The test must be negative to qualify for early release from quarantine 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not count quarantine days from the test date of the infected person - always count from your last contact with them 1
- Do not assume you are safe without completing the full quarantine period - there is a small but nonzero risk of developing infection late in the incubation period, particularly after day 10 3, 4
- Do not confuse quarantine with isolation - quarantine is for exposed but asymptomatic individuals, while isolation is for those who test positive or have symptoms 1
Adherence Considerations
The shortened quarantine options were introduced recognizing that the 14-day period places substantial social and economic burden on individuals, which can result in low adherence 5. Quarantine with release after a negative PCR test at 7 days can avert a similar proportion of transmission (54%) compared to 14-day quarantine (59%), making it a reasonable alternative when adherence to the full 14 days is unlikely 5.