According to the CDC, the recommended isolation period has been cut down to 5 days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now recommending a shorter quarantine period for those infected by COVID-19. Instead of people quarantined for 10 days, those individuals can isolate for five days, if asymptomatic, and wear a mask around others for an additional five days.

The changes were made on December 27 in response to a surge of positive cases hitting the U.S. due to the omicron variant.

New data reviewed by the CDC shows people are more likely to spread the virus in the first two days before they have symptoms, and in the two to three days after.

"The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after," writes the CDC. "Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others."

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says the new guidelines will help people resume their lives faster, stating, “CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives."

For more information on  who, how and when you should quarantine, visit the CDC website.