CDC Reverses 14-Day Quarantine Recommendations After Traveling
August 24, 2020
Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reversed its recommendation that travelers returning from a trip outside the United States or from outside of their own state should self-quarantine for 14 days if returning from destinations where there was a high concentration of COVID-19. The revised guidance advises travelers "to follow state, territorial, tribal and local recommendations or requirements after travel."
The revised guidance still stresses that travelers could have been exposed to COVID-19 during their trip and, while the traveler may feel fine and not have any symptoms, could be contagious and spread the virus to others for up to 14 days. CDC continues to recommend people "follow social distancing guidelines indoors and outdoors, wear a mask outside of the home, wash hands often, and look for COVID-19 symptoms upon their return home."
While CDC may have updated its guidance, states still have a mix of quarantine requirements and recommendations for visitors and residents alike. Some discourage interstate travel by requiring or recommending visitors or residents returning from other states quarantine; other states require a recent negative COVID-19 test in lieu of a blanket quarantine policy. Anyone looking to travel overnight should continue to check state and local government websites, as well as foreign government requirements, for anywhere they plan to stop.
Last Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reversed its recommendation that travelers returning from a trip outside the United States or from outside of their own state should self-quarantine for 14 days if returning from destinations where there was a high concentration of COVID-19. The revised guidance advises travelers "to follow state, territorial, tribal and local recommendations or requirements after travel."
The revised guidance still stresses that travelers could have been exposed to COVID-19 during their trip and, while the traveler may feel fine and not have any symptoms, could be contagious and spread the virus to others for up to 14 days. CDC continues to recommend people "follow social distancing guidelines indoors and outdoors, wear a mask outside of the home, wash hands often, and look for COVID-19 symptoms upon their return home."
While CDC may have updated its guidance, states still have a mix of quarantine requirements and recommendations for visitors and residents alike. Some discourage interstate travel by requiring or recommending visitors or residents returning from other states quarantine; other states require a recent negative COVID-19 test in lieu of a blanket quarantine policy. Anyone looking to travel overnight should continue to check state and local government websites, as well as foreign government requirements, for anywhere they plan to stop.
