Isolation & Quarantine
These guidelines are for the general public, including K-12 students and staff. Healthcare workers should follow their own isolation and quarantine guidance.
If You Test Positive (Isolation)
- Isolate at home for at least 5 days
- If you do not have symptoms, your symptoms are mild and improving and you are fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine: isolation can end after day 5
- If you have a fever: isolation should be continued until 24 hours after fever resolves
- If you have symptoms (other than a fever) that are not improving: continue to isolate until your symptoms are improving or until after day 10
- If you have severe symptoms, are at high risk of serious disease or have questions concerning care: Contact your healthcare provider for available treatments
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days, especially indoors
If You Have Been Exposed to Someone with COVID (Quarantine)
- You don't have symptoms: You don't need to quarantine if you don't have symptoms, but you should take a COVID test 3-5 days after you were exposed to see if you're infected. It's recommended you wear a mask around others for 10 days after the exposure.
- You have symptoms: Stay home and get tested as soon as possible to determine infection status. Even if you test negative, you should still wear a well-fitting mask indoors around others (even at home) for 10 days after you were last exposed.
Resources
- State Guidance on Isolation & Quarantine
- What to Do If You Test Positive for COVID
- What to Do If You Are Exposed to COVID-19
- Isolation & Quarantine Q&A (CDPH)