CDC relaxes COVID-19 isolation guidelines for the public – Technologist

On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its COVID-19 isolation guidelines, removing the recommendation to isolate for 5 days, and instead recommending people treat COVID-19 (coronavirus) like any other respiratory illness.

Even though many states have rescinded workplace COVID-19 requirements (and have also pared down previous isolation guidance for the general public), some employers still wonder what the guidelines recommend when an employee comes down with COVID-19. The CDC’s dedicated Respiratory Virus Guidance webpage describes how respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, should be handled. These guidelines state that people can resume normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, their “symptoms are getting better overall” and they “have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).” The CDC also says that when returning to normal activities, people should take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when around other people indoors.

The CDC’s updated guidelines now also align more closely with COVID-19 isolation recommendations at the state level in California, Oregon, and Washington. Here are those state-specific guidelines:

• California: As we previously reported, California Department of Public Health (CDPH)’s most recent COVID-19 Isolation Guidance recommends those who test positive for COVID-19 (with symptoms) isolate until 24 hours have passed with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and their symptoms are mild and improving. They should mask for 10 days after getting sick or testing positive, when around other people indoors but may stop masking sooner if they have two sequential negative tests at least one day apart.
• Oregon: The Oregon Health Authority (OHA)’s COVID-19 webpage states that people who test positive for COVID-19 don’t need to isolate for a specific number of days, but should “Stay home until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medication and other COVID-19 symptoms are improving.” They should also wear masks for 10 days after getting sick or testing positive.
• Washington: The Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I)’s Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 webpage states that non-health care employees should follow the CDC’s guidance for preventing respiratory illness.

Tips: You may still require employees who are returning from COVID-19 to take precautions such as wearing a mask or maintaining social distance indoors for the appropriate time period. Note that employees in health care settings may still be subject to some COVID-19 requirements that don’t apply to the general public. We will be updating our Legal Guides, At a Glance: COVID-19 Compliance in California, At a Glance: COVID-19 Compliance in Oregon, and At a Glance: COVID-19 Compliance in Washington to reflect the CDC (and each state’s) most recent guidance. Reach out to your Vigilant Law Group employment attorney if you have any questions.