Quarantine Guidelines
All information on this page is provided by the Douglas County Health department.

When to Start and Stop Quarantine

If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, you have been exposed to the virus and must quarantine. Click the link below for more information on what to do based on your situation.

How to Quarantine

In the case that you need to quarantine, it is vital that you follow quarantine protocols. Click the link below for more information on how to quarantine safely and effectively.

How to Isolate

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you must isolate. Click the link below for more information on isolation and keeping others healthy.

When to Start and Stop Quarantine - 7 Day Shortened

​You should stay home for 7-14 days after your last close contact with a person who has COVID-19.
​
The 14 day full quarantine is still the safest option, but the CDC now allows acceptable alternatives.

What counts as close contact?

​Being within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24 hour period is what counts as close contact.
*Contact with a close contact does not require quarantine.
​If you develop COVID symptoms or test positive, then you need to switch to a 10 day isolation from when your symptoms started
Situation 1:
  • I had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
  • I will not have further contact with the person while they are sick.
​How long to quarantine:
​Your last day of quarantine is 7 days from the date you had close contact and you must have a negative test. You have to self-monitor and wear a mask until day 14 is reached.
Last day you had close contact with a person who has COVID-19.
​Negative test (PCR or antigen) must be collected no earlier than 5 days after close contact.
The first day you can leave quarantine
​The first day you don’t have to self-monitor / wear a mask.
SITUATION 2:
  • I HAD CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID-19.
  • I live with the person but can avoid further close contact.
​How long to quarantine:
Your last day of quarantine is 7 days from when the person with COVID-19 began home isolation and you must have a negative test. You must have no further close contact with the person since they isolated, which includes staying in a separate bedroom and using a separate bathroom if possible. You have to self-monitor and wear a mask until day 14 is reached.
Person with COVID-19 starts home isolation.
​Negative test (PCR or antigen) must be collected no earlier than 5 days after close contact.
The first day you can leave quarantine
​The first day you don’t have to self-monitor / wear a mask.
SITUATION 3:
  • while under quarantine i had another close contact with someone who has covid-19.
​How long to quarantine:
​You will have to restart your quarantine from the last day you had close contact with anyone in your house who has COVID-19. Any time a new household member gets sick with COVID-19, you will need to restart your quarantine if you had close contact with them. You have to self-monitor and wear a mask until day 14 is reached.
The first day you started your quarantine.
​Negative test (PCR or antigen) must be collected no earlier than 5 days after the last close contact.
​The first day you don’t have to self-monitor / wear a mask.
You had additional contact with someone who has COVID-19 and/or someone else in your household got sick with COVID-19. 
​Your quarantine restarts.
The first day you can leave quarantine
SITUATION 4:
  • I live with someone who has covid-19 and i cannot avoid CLOSE CONTACT.
  • I am providing direct care to a person who has covid-19, don't have a separate bedroom to isolate the person who is sick, or live in close quarters where i am unable to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
 ​How long to quarantine:
You should remain at home for 10 days while the person can still spread the illness, and then quarantine for 7 days after the person who has COVID-19 meets the criteria to end home isolation. You also have to have a negative test and self-monitor and wear a mask until day 14 is reached.
Person is sick with COVID19 and is in home isolation. Household members must remain at home, too.
​Negative test (PCR or antigen) must be collected no earlier than 5 days after the last close contact.
​The first day you don’t have to self-monitor / wear a mask.
The sick person has met the criteria to end home isolation.
This is your first day of the 7 day quarantine.
The first day you can leave quarantine

How to Quarantine

If you have been within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more on any day that they may have been infectious, you are a close contact. You must quarantine.

WATCH YOURSELF FOR SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Tiredness
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

WEAR A MASK

Whenever you are with any other people, even if you are at home.
​Make sure it fits over your mouth and nose.

CALL YOUR DOCTOR AND GET TESTED IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

DAY 1

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DAY 2

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DAY 3

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DAY 4

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DAY 5

DAY 6

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DAY 7

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DAY 8

DAY 9

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DAY 10

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DAY 11

DAY 12

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DAY 13

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DAY 14

STAY HOME

You may be able to shorten your in-home quarantine by meeting the conditions below.​
You can get tested on or after day 5. If your test is negative you may be able to discontinue in-home quarantine on day 8 if you don't have symptoms.
Note: antibody tests do not count.
With a negative test - If you have no symptoms on or before day 7 and tested negative on or after day 5, you can discontinue in-home quarantine on day 8. You must keep wearing your mask at all times and monitor for symptoms through day 14.
Without a test - If you have no symptoms on or before day 10, you can discontinue in-home quarantine on day 11. You must keep wearing your mask at all times and monitor for symptoms through day 14.
LAST DAY OF QUARANTINE

How to Isolate

​If you tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, you must isolate.

NO VISITORS

STAY HOME

​Until at least 10 days after your symptoms first appeared... AND you have been fever-free for 1 full day (without feverreducing medicine)... AND all your other symptoms are better.

NO SHARING

​Do not share towels, silverware, cups, bowls, or plates with anyone else in your home.

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

​With soap and water, for 20 seconds each time you wash them.

WEAR A MASK

Over your mouth and nose.
Even at home if you live with other people.

STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE YOU LIVE WITH

Stay in a separate part of your home as much as possible. Use a different bathroom if you can.

CLEAN ALL "HIGH TOUCH" SURFACES EVERY DAY

​Clean things you and your family touch a lot: like counters, tabletops, doorknobs, sink faucet handles, toilets handles, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

COVER YOUR COUGHS & SNEEZES

​Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can; immediately wash your hands.

LIMIT CONTACT WITH PETS

​Just to be safe experts recommend that people who are isolating avoid touching their pets until we know more how coronavirus spreads.