The regulations regarding when or when not to quarantine has changed rapidly in the last few months due to the dissemination of vaccines on top of the lifting of travel restrictions within New York State. The team at EBC wants to remind everyone that the local public health authorities determine and establish the quarantine options for their jurisdictions. Employees must work with a health professional or the local department of health to evaluate the circumstance on a case-by-case scenario.
For the purposes of this guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson).
CDC currently recommends a quarantine period of 14 days. However, based on local circumstances and resources, the following options to shorten quarantine are acceptable alternatives. The current New York State and CDC guidelines are as follows.
What counts as close contact:
You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19.
You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them).
You shared eating or drinking utensils.
They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.
Symptomatic Individuals who think or know they had COVID-19:
Symptomatic individuals, including essential workers, who suspect or have a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 test, can be around others after:
10 calendar days since symptoms first appeared; and
24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.
Most individuals do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if your healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let you know when you can resume being around others based on your test results.
Asymptomatic Individuals who tested positive for COVID-19:
If individuals, including essential workers, continue to have no symptoms, they can be with others after 10 calendar days have passed since the positive viral test for COVID-19. Most individuals do not require testing to decide when they can be around others; however, if the healthcare provider recommends testing, they will let the individuals know when they can resume being around others based on the test results.
If individuals develop symptoms after testing positive, individuals must follow the guidance above for “Symptomatic Individuals who think or know they had COVID-19".
Fully Vaccinated Individuals Exposed to COVID-19:
Asymptomatic: Individuals, including essential workers, who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 if they remain asymptomatic.
Symptomatic: Fully vaccinated individuals, including essential workers, exposed to COVID-19 who are experiencing related symptoms must isolate themselves, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, and tested for COVID-19 if indicated. This guidance applies to all fully vaccinated people.
Individuals should be encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider if they have any questions about their individual situation, such as immunocompromising conditions or other concerns, or tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms.
Not Fully Vaccinated or Individuals Not Recovered from COVID-19 in the previous 3 months Exposed to COVID-19:
Individuals who have been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19 in the previous 3 months, are required to quarantine for 10 calendar days after exposure.
Essential workers who have been exposed to someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, who are not fully vaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19 in the previous 3 months, can be permitted to work in the required workplace setting if all of the following conditions are met:
Working from home would not be feasible for job duties;
Personnel are asymptomatic;
Personnel quarantine themselves when not at work;
Personnel undergo temperature monitoring and symptom checks upon arrival to work and at least every 12 hours while at work, and self-monitor (i.e. take temperature, assess for symptoms) twice a day when at home;
Personnel required to interact with individuals within 6 feet should wear a facemask while working for 14 days following the last exposure;
Personnel whose job duties permit a separation of greater than 6 feet should have environmental controls in place to ensure adequate separation is maintained, and do not need to wear a facemask;
If personnel develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, or shortness of breath) while working, they should immediately stop work and isolate at home; and
Testing should be prioritized for essential personnel with symptoms.
Testing is not required to end quarantine if no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period. However, a test should be sought immediately if any symptoms develop during the 14 days after exposure.
*Any time Health Care Professionals working in nursing homes, EALRs, or ALPs are required to quarantine, they cannot return to their workplace (must furlough) through the 14th day after exposure. Such Health Care Professionals do not need to quarantine if they meet the vaccination or recent COVID-19 recovery criteria.
Previously Recovered Individuals Exposed to COVID-19:
Asymptomatic: Individuals, including essential workers, exposed to COVID-19 who have been previously diagnosed with a laboratory confirmed COVID-19, and have since recovered, are not required to retest and quarantine provided the new exposure is within 3 months after the date of symptom onset from the initial COVID-19 infection or date of first positive diagnostic test if asymptomatic during illness.
Symptomatic: Individuals, including essential workers, exposed to COVID-19 who have been previously diagnosed with a laboratory confirmed COVID-19, and have since recovered, that are symptomatic must isolate themselves, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, and tested for COVID-19 if indicated.
This guidance applies to all people who have previously recovered from COVID-19 and are newly exposed to COVID-19. However, individuals should be encouraged to consult with their healthcare provider if they have any questions about their individual situation.
New York State Travel Guidance as of June 25, 2021:
As of June 25, 2021, the New York State Travel Advisory is no longer in effect. As such, travelers arriving in New York are no longer required to submit traveler health forms.
All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all CDC travel requirements.
Having EBC HR & Payroll Solutions, Inc. on your team allows you to move forward with confidence, knowing that we’re doing right by your employees, doing right by you, and it’s all being done in accordance with all the latest rules, regulations, and laws. Human resources are a vital aspect of any organization and we know that HR personnel can become inundated by laws and regulations as they work to establish HR and Safety policies and procedures. EBC is dedicated to offering solutions for your organization’s human resources challenges. Our philosophy is to provide a comprehensive, wide range of services to all our clients.
For more information regarding on-site HR solutions, please speak reach out to Kelley Siembida, Senior HR Sales Consultant
at 716.228.4601 or ksiembida@ebchcm.com