When end covid isolation?

Isolation can be discontinued at least 5 days after symptom onset (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared, and day 1 is the next full day thereafter) if fever has resolved for at least 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medications) and other symptoms are improving.

On this page:

Quarantine means staying home after an exposure but before symptoms start. Quarantine is no longer recommended as a strategy for controlling COVID-19.

Isolation means staying home and away from others in your household if you have symptoms or you test positive. If you test positive, contact your doctor to see if you should receive treatment. COVID-19 treatments are free, widely available, and reduce the risk of serious illness. Learn about your treatment options.

Read more at CDPH’s Isolation and Quarantine Guidance and CDC’s Isolation and Precautions.

If you test positive, use this calculator to determine how long you should isolate. This helps keep others safe.

Start calculating

Regardless of your vaccination status:

*If you had COVID-19 within the last 30 days:

Learn more in What to Do if You Are Exposed from CDPH.

Regardless of your vaccination status or infection history:

For children who test positive:

Learn more in What to Do if You Test Positive from CDPH.

Rules for isolation and quarantine may be more restrictive in your area. Check your area’s COVID-19 website.

See CDPH Guidance on Quarantine and Isolation for Health Care Personnel.

If you can’t work because you have COVID-19, you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.

If you can’t work because you are caring for a family member with COVID-19, there is help for your lost wages. File a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.

In both these cases, you must have a note from a healthcare worker.