On this page
When you can be around others
Additional isolation/quarantine guidance
What you need to do when you isolate or quarantine
Guidance for travelers
Isolation | Quarantine |
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You isolate when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms. |
You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus and may or may not have been infected. |
Close Contact |
Close contact is:
Note: In indoor K-12 settings, a student who is within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student is not considered a close contact as long as both students are wearing masks and the school has other prevention strategies in place. See Guidance for Parents of School-aged Children. |
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When You Can Be Around Others
Here are the isolation and quarantine actions you need to take if you have COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, or were exposed to COVID-19.
Who | Action to Take | How long? |
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I tested positive for COVID-19 and/or have symptoms of COVID-19 |
Isolate & Follow Prevention Guidance |
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
If you do not meet all these criteria, remain in isolation until all these conditions are met up to a full 10 days after your first day of symptoms or the day of your test if you have no symptoms. If you have access to a test and want to test, use an antigen test towards the end of the 5-day isolation period. Collect the test sample only if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.) If your test result is positive, you should continue to isolate until day 10. If your test is negative, you can end isolation after 5 days, but should continue to wear a mask at home and in public until Day 10 and take other precautions (see below). Do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms. If you are at higher risk of getting very sick, contact your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for treatment. Early treatment can prevent you from getting sicker. |
I am a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 and am up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. |
Follow prevention guidance |
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I am a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 (tested positive with a viral test) within the last 6 months. | Follow prevention guidance |
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I am a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 and am NOT up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations and have not had COVID-19 in the last 6 months. |
Quarantine & Follow Prevention Guidance |
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Quarantine & Isolation Calculators
The Virginia Department of Health has recently updated their quarantine recommendations. See the calculator below for guidance.