Isolation & Quarantine | COVID-19 | Alameda County Public Health

Isolation keeps someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19 without symptoms away from others, even in their own home.

Stay home until after

At least 10 days have passed since symptom started; AND
At least 24 hours have passed since you have stopped having a fever without using medications; AND
Other symptoms have improved

If you live with others, stay in a specific "sick room" or area and away from other people or animals, including pets. Use a separate bathroom, if available.

Stay home until after

10 days have passed since your positive test.
If during the 10 days you develop symptoms, use the instructions above to know when to end your isolation.

If you live with others, stay in a specific "sick room" or area and away from other people or animals, including pets. Use a separate bathroom, if available.

I think or know I have COVID-19, and I have symptoms. When can I leave isolation?

You can be around others after:

10 days since your symptoms first appeared AND
24 hours with no fever AND
Your COVID-19 symptoms have improved.

* Day zero (0) is the day you were tested.

I tested positive for COVID-19, but I've never had any symptoms. When can I leave isolation?

Stay at home and stay away from others until 10 days have passed since your positive test.
On day 11 you can leave isolation.

* Day zero (0) is the day you received a positive test result.

Please remember:

You do not need a negative test to leave isolation or return to work.
A small number of people should isolate for 20 days when told to do so by their doctor.

Quarantine keeps a person who was in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 away from others.

Stay home for 10 days after your last contact.
Check your temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
If possible, stay away from people who are at high-risk for getting sick from COVID-19 for 14 days after your last contact.

How long should I stay in quarantine? (ACPHD, 2/17/21): English
How long should I stay in quarantine? (ACPHD, 12/29/20): Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Khmer | Korean | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese
Guidance for Quarantining if You Are Unable to Avoid a COVID-Positive Person in your Household (ACPHD, 2/4/21)
Interim Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Health Care Personnel (ACPHD 2/22/21)

Resources

Home Isolation and Quarantine Instructions for People with COVID-19 and their Household or Close Contacts (ACPHD, 2/16/21): English | Spanish | Arabic | Khmer | Korean | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Vietnamese | Tagalog | Punjabi
Home Isolation and Quarantine Instructions for People with COVID-19 and their Household or Close Contacts (ACPHD, 12/18/20): Farsi | Hindi
Isolation Order: English | Spanish | Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Hindi | Korean | Tagalog | Vietnamese
Isolation Instructions: English | Spanish
Quarantine Order
Interim Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Health Care Personnel (ACPHD 2/22/21)

Isolation (CDC)
Quarantine(CDC)
Quarantine vs. Isolation (CDC)
Guidance for Returning Travelers (ACPHD 2/10/21)

Employees and students who are not ill do not need a doctor’s note to return to work or school after staying home for 14 days. We are receiving communications that this is happening, which is impacting the medical system and preventing doctors from seeing patients who are ill.

When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19 (CDC)
English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean | Vietnamese
A Negative COVID-19 Test Result is NOT Required to Return to Work (Letter to Employers Regarding Clearance Testing) English | Arabic | Chinese (Simplified) | Chinese (Traditional) | Khmer | Korean | Spanish | Tagalog | Vietnamese (ACPHD, 8/12/2020)

Health Officer Orders

FAQ

COVID-19 Testing

Contact Tracing

Isolation keeps someone who is sick or tested positive for COVID-19 without symptoms away from others, even in their own home.

If you have COVID-19 and are sick

If you tested positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms

When can I leave isolation?

Quarantine keeps a person who was in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 away from others.

If you had close contact with a person who has COVID-19

When to Self-Release from Quarantine

Quarantine Resources

Resources

Isolation and Quarantine Instructions and Orders

FAQ about Isolation and Quarantine, including About Travel

When can I be around others after having COVID-19?

I’ve recovered from COVID-19, now what?