CDC reduces quarantine time from two weeks to 10 days with no symptoms

By Audrey McNamara

December 3, 2020 / 7:30 AM / CBS News

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new quarantine guidelines for people who were exposed to coronavirus, reducing the length of time from 14 days to 10 days without symptoms or seven days with no symptoms and a negative test. Officials said the shorter time period is intended to encourage more people to quarantine.

\"Reducing the length of quarantine may encourage more people to do so, especially when they may not be able to work during quarantine time,\" CDC\'s COVID-19 Incident Manager, Dr. Henry Walke, told reporters on a call Wednesday. He said the agency still recommends 14 days, but is now offering two \"acceptable alternative quarantine periods.\"