New CDC Guidelines on Holiday Travel and Quarantine

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidance on holiday travel and quarantine periods.

The CDC is advising against traveling for the upcoming holidays. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others and prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, people who choose to travel over the holiday season despite the CDC’s warnings should get tested for COVID-19 one to three days before their trip, and again three to five days after return.

After traveling, people should self-quarantine. Those without symptoms may end quarantine after seven days if they are tested for the virus and receive a negative result. P.C.R. or rapid tests are both acceptable, and should be taken within 48 hours of the end of the quarantine period. If you do not get tested after you travel, you should quarantine for 10 days. People should continue to watch for symptoms for 14 days, even after their quarantine has ended.

Click here to read more on the CDC’s guidelines on quarantine. And, remember to check the local health department of your home state and travel destination for local quarantine requirements.

Photo credit: Shuttershock | The New York Post