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CDC shortens recommended quarantine duration, with restrictions

Infected people now only need to self-isolate for a minimum of five days.

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Adam Benjamin
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Adam Benjamin Managing Editor
Adam Benjamin has helped people navigate complex problems for the past decade. The former digital services editor for Reviews.com, Adam now leads CNET's services and software team and contributes to its game coverage.
Expertise Operating systems, streaming services, mobile apps and first-person shooters Credentials Adam has been covering streaming services since 2013 and wants to help people navigate the subscription creep in their lives.
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For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites.

On Monday, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered the amount of time that Americans with COVID-19 need to spend in isolation, reducing guidance from 10 days to five, provided they aren't experiencing symptoms and stay masked around other people for an additional five days. The quarantine guidance for anyone exposed to the virus received the same revision.

The new guidelines come as the omicron variant continues to spread throughout the US, accounting for 73% of cases in the country. 

Booster shots of Pfizer and Moderna have been shown to be effective in protecting against the variant, with CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky saying that the organization was considering revising the definition of "fully vaccinated" to include booster shots. 

The important distinction in the new guidance is that infected people are free of symptoms and remain masked around other people. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.