When to Quarantine or Isolate–Guidance from CDC

As we return to campus for a new semester, you may have questions about if/when to quarantine or isolate. To help answer your questions, the guidance below provides information about whether to quarantine or isolate in various circumstances.

Please note that NOVA is not requiring medical documentation from employees or students before they can return to campus after a COVID-19 exposure or diagnosis (positive test result).

Anyone who has been exposed or who has tested positive for COVID-19 should follow current CDC guidance for exposure, quarantine, and isolation:

• If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations:
  • Quarantine for at least five days.
  • Get tested at least five days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
  • After quarantine, watch for symptoms. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested.
  • Take precautions until day ten:
    • Wear a mask
    • Avoid travel
    • Avoid being around people who are at high risk
  • If you were exposed to COVID-19 and are up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations:
    • No quarantine necessary but get tested at least five days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
    • Watch for symptoms until ten days after your last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested.
    • Take precautions until day ten:
      • Wear a mask
      • Avoid travel
      • Avoid being around people who are at high risk
    • If you were exposed to COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days
      • No quarantine necessary but get tested at least five days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
      • Watch for symptoms until ten days after your last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
      • If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested.
      • Take precautions until day ten:
        • Wear a mask
        • Avoid travel
        • Avoid being around people who are at high risk
      • If you tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms, regardless of vaccination status
        • Stay home for five days and isolate from others.
        • If you had symptoms, end isolation if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and your symptoms are improving.
        • If you did not have symptoms, end isolation after five full days after your positive test.
        • If you were severely ill with COVID-19, you should isolate for at least ten days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation.
        • Take precautions until day ten:
          • Wear a mask
          • Avoid travel
          • Avoid being around people who are at high risk

Faculty, staff or students who test positive should notify the Office of Emergency Management and Safety at oem@nvcc.edu. If you have any questions, please contact Human Resources at HRAdmin@nvcc.edu.

Submitted by:
Charlotte Calobrisi, AVP-HR, CCalobrisi@nvcc.edu