ISOLATION GUIDANCE
As of March 11, 2022.
Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 OR tested positive on a COVID-19 test (PCR or rapid) should self-isolate immediately. To see if you are eligible for a PCR test, click here.
The time of the self-isolation period depends on age, vaccination status, severity of infection, and immune status.
| Population | Isolation Period |
| • Fully vaccinated individuals • Children under the age of 12 | 5 days after the date symptoms started or the date of COVID-19 testing (whichever is earlier) |
| • Individuals 12+ who are not fully vaccinated • Immunocompromised individuals • Hospitalized for COVID-19 related illness • Residing in a highest risk setting (e.g. hospitals, congregate living facilities) | 10 days after the date symptoms started or the date of COVID-19 testing (whichever is earlier) |
| • Severe illness (requiring ICU level of care) | 20 days after the date symptoms started or the date of COVID-19 testing (whichever is earlier) |
If self-isolation is complete after 5 days, additional precautions are needed due to residual risk of ongoing infectiousness.
For a total of 10 days (or 20 days for immunocompromised individuals) after symptom onset (or date of specimen collection, whichever is earlier/applicable), individuals must:
- Continue to wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings
- Individuals should maintain masking as much as possible in public settings. Reasonable exceptions would include temporary removal for essential activities like eating (e.g., when eating in shared space at school/work while maintaining as much distancing from others as possible)
- Participation in activities where masking can be maintained throughout may be resumed, but individuals should avoid activities where mask removal would be necessary (e.g., dining out)
- Individuals who are exempt from masking (e.g., children under two years of age, etc.) may return to public settings without masking
- Not visit anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness (i.e., seniors)
- Not visit or attend work in any highest risk settings.
SCENARIOS & ADVICE
| Scenario | I’m fully vaxxed or 11 or younger | I’m 12+ AND not fully vaxxed OR I’m immunocompromised |
| I have tested positive for COVID-19 (on a PCR or rapid test) | • Isolate for at least 5 days from the day your symptoms started & until you have no fever and your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastro symptoms), whichever is longer in duration • Your household members (regardless of their vax status) should isolate while you are isolating unless they meet the below criteria: → They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → They are 18+ and boosted → They are under 18 years old and have 2 doses | • Isolate for at least 10 days from the day your symptoms started & until you have no fever and your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastro symptoms), whichever is longer in duration • Your household members (regardless of their vax status) should isolate while you are isolating unless they meet the below criteria: → They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → They are 18+ and boosted → They are under 18 years old and have 2 doses |
| I have symptoms of COVID-19 and don’t have access to COVID-19 testing (PCR or rapid) | • Isolate for at least 5 days from the day your symptoms started & until you have no fever and your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastro symptoms), whichever is longer in duration • Your household members (regardless of their vax status) should isolate while you are isolating unless they meet the below criteria: → They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → They are 18+ and boosted → They are under 18 years old and have 2 doses | • Isolate for at least 10 days from the day your symptoms started & until you have no fever and your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastro symptoms), whichever is longer in duration • Your household members (regardless of their vax status) should isolate while you are isolating unless they meet the below criteria: → They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → They are 18+ and boosted → They are under 18 years old and have 2 doses |
| My household member tested positive for COVID-19 (PCR or rapid) OR has symptoms of the virus. | • If you meet the below criteria, you do not need to isolate: → You have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → You are 18+ and boosted → You are under 18 years old and have 2 doses • If you do not meet the above criteria, isolate for at least 5 days from the day your household member tested + or started to experience symptoms • Your isolation period should end at the same time as your household member who tested + or experienced symptoms • If you develop symptoms continue to isolate and get tested if you are eligible | • If you meet the below criteria, you do not need to isolate: → You have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → You are 18+ and boosted → You are under 18 years old and have 2 doses • If you do not meet the criteria above, isolate for at least 10 days from the day your household member tested + or started to experience symptoms • Your isolation period should end at the same time as your household member who tested + or experienced symptoms • If you develop symptoms continue to isolate and get tested if you are eligible |
| My household was about to finish our isolation period, but another household member started to experience symptoms. | • All household members who do not meet the following criteria will need to isolate while the positive case is isolating (at least 5 days): → They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → They are 18+ and boosted → They are under 18 years old and have 2 doses • Any household members who do not have symptoms and do not meet the criteria above should extend their isolation period until the last symptomatic person in the household has finished their isolation period • The initial household member with symptoms does not have to extend their isolation period based on other household members becoming ill | • All household members who do not meet the following criteria will need to isolate while the positive case is isolating (at least 10 days): → They have previously tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days → They are 18+ and boosted → They are under 18 years old and have 2 doses • Any household members who do not have symptoms and do not meet the criteria above should extend their isolation period until the last symptomatic person in the household has finished their isolation period • The initial household member with symptoms does not have to extend their isolation period based on other household members becoming ill |
| I’m a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or who has symptoms of the virus. The person does not live with me. | • Self-monitor** for symptoms for 10 days after your last exposure • If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately for at least 5 days from the day symptoms began & until you have no fever and other symptoms are improving for 24 hours (or 48 hours for gastro symptoms), whichever is longer in duration • Get tested for COVID-19 if you are eligible | • Self-monitor** for symptoms for 10 days after your last exposure • If you develop symptoms,iIsolate immediately for at least 10 days following your last exposure & until your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastro symptoms), whichever is longer in duration • Get tested for COVID-19 if you are eligible |
**Wear a well-fitted mask in public, physical distance and maintain other public health measures for 10 days following your last exposure if leaving home. You should NOT visit or attend work in any highest risk settings and not visit individuals who may be at higher risk of illness (i.e. seniors or immunocompromised) for 10 days after your last exposure.
For more specific information, please click here.
