Is there a difference between stopping isolation vs. stopping quarantine?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines recommend considering different factors when deciding to stop isolation or quarantine:

• Those who have been infected with COVID-19 should isolate. They may be able to stop isolating once symptoms have improved, and it has been at least 5 days since symptoms first appeared. Some symptoms such as loss of taste or smell may last for weeks or months and should not delay ending isolation. Those who have never had symptoms may be able to stop isolating 10 days after testing. However, those who had severe illness from COVID-19, or people with a weakened immune system, may need to isolate longer or may require testing to determine when they can be around others.
• Those who have been possibly exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine. This will depend on if you are vaccinated and when you were vaccinated. 

If you have received a booster dose or completed the 2 dose series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine in the past 6 months or received the J&J vaccine in the past 2 months, you should:

• Wear a mask around other people for 10 days
• Test on day 5, if possible

• If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home

If you have completed the 2 dose series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago, or received the J&J vaccine over 2 months ago, and have not received a booster dose or have never been vaccinated you should:

• Stay home for 5 days, After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
• If you can’t quarantine you must wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days
• Test on day 5 if possible
• If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home

Please note that it’s possible for a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stop isolation before someone possibly exposed can stop quarantining.