Skip Navigation
Covid-19 E-Alert

Client Alert: CDC Relaxes COVID-19 Safety Recommendations in Updated Guidance

Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated COVID-19 guidance. This update loosens prior guidelines regarding social distancing, testing, and isolation, with the agency noting that “[h]igh levels of immunity and availability of effective COVID-19 prevention and management tools have reduced the risk for medically significant illness and death.”

The CDC continues to promote the importance of being up to date with vaccination to protect against serious illness. However, the CDC dropped its recommendation that individuals who are not up to date on vaccination “stay at least six feet away from other people” in indoor public spaces. Instead, the CDC notes that it is important to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local COVID-19 Community Levels and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance. The CDC also instructs that testing of asymptomatic people is no longer recommended in most community settings.

Further, the CDC recommends that instead of quarantining after exposure to COVID-19, individuals should wear a high-quality mask for ten days and get tested at least five full days after the exposure. This recommendation now applies regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.

Still, people who develop symptoms should isolate and test for COVID-19. If the test result is negative, isolation can be ended. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should follow the CDC’s full isolation recommendations, including staying home for at least five days. If after five days symptoms improve and fever subsides for 24 hours without use of medication, the isolation can be ended. The CDC notes an exception for individuals with moderate illness, including shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and those with weakened immune systems, recommending that such individuals quarantine for at least ten days. Further, those who develop severe illness should consult with a healthcare provider before ending their isolation. If COVID-19 symptoms worsen after ending isolation, the CDC says to restart isolation at day zero.

For all people testing positive for COVID-19, the CDC recommends wearing a mask for at least ten days and avoiding contact with people likely to get very sick from the virus for at least 11 days.

Employer Tip

Following this updated guidance, employers may wish to modify policies and practices that currently track older CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 safety. However, in doing so, employers should be cognizant of any relevant local and/or state level guidance or requirements.

About the Authors

hinks listing
Stay Connected
LinkedIn

Associate

Benjamin J. Hinks

Ben Hinks is an attorney in the firm’s Employment & Labor practice, representing employers in litigation matters from preliminary stages through trial. He has handled wage and hour claims, discrimination actions, non-competition and trade secret disputes, and contract claims before the courts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and administrative agencies.  

Stay Connected
LinkedIn

More Posts by Author ›

Ray Ripple
Stay Connected
LinkedIn

Of Counsel

Raymond M. Ripple

Ray Ripple is a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience litigating in the federal and state courts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and throughout the United States. He represents employers in a wide range of employment litigation matters, including discrimination, harassment, termination, retaliation, whistleblower actions, and wage claims brought under various state and federal laws. Outside of the courtroom, Ray also has experience counseling employers on a broad range of employment-related matters. 

Stay Connected
LinkedIn

More Posts by Author ›

About the Authors

hinks listing
Stay Connected
LinkedIn

Associate

Benjamin J. Hinks

Ben Hinks is an attorney in the firm’s Employment & Labor practice, representing employers in litigation matters from preliminary stages through trial. He has handled wage and hour claims, discrimination actions, non-competition and trade secret disputes, and contract claims before the courts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and administrative agencies.  

Stay Connected
LinkedIn

More Posts by Author ›

Ray Ripple
Stay Connected
LinkedIn

Of Counsel

Raymond M. Ripple

Ray Ripple is a seasoned attorney with over 20 years of experience litigating in the federal and state courts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and throughout the United States. He represents employers in a wide range of employment litigation matters, including discrimination, harassment, termination, retaliation, whistleblower actions, and wage claims brought under various state and federal laws. Outside of the courtroom, Ray also has experience counseling employers on a broad range of employment-related matters. 

Stay Connected
LinkedIn

More Posts by Author ›

View All People ›

    To get in touch, please call us at 508-791-3511 or fill out the form below. Fields in orange are required.

    Stay Current

    Subscribe to Bowditch’s updates, alerts and programs.

    Subscribe to All

     


    You can also follow our Bowditch Blogs. Please subscribe for new post notifications directly on the blogs. They are easily accessible in the main navigation under the Insights+News dropdown.

    An email confirmation will be sent upon submitting this form.