On December 7, the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued updated guidance concerning the recommended quarantine period for individuals following a “close contact” exposure to someone with COVID-19. This guidance now aligns with comparable advice provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) on the same subject on December 2.

Now, both the CDC and CDPH advise as follows:

• The quarantine period may end after the tenth day, so long as the individual did not present any symptoms associated with COVID-19 during the quarantine period; or
• The quarantine period may end after the seventh day if: (1) the individual did not present any symptoms associated with COVID-19 during the quarantine period; (2) the individual was tested for COVID-19 no earlier than the fifth day following close contact exposure; and (3) the test produced a negative result.

Despite the fact that both the CDC and CDPH revised their respective recommended quarantine periods, newly adopted Cal/OSHA regulations still require a 14-day quarantine period following a COVID-19 exposure. (See 8 C.C.R. 3205(c)(10)(B).) Therefore, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore recommends that employers continue to adhere to the Cal/OSHA regulatory requirements and require that employees with close contact exposures observe the full 14-day quarantine period. If the Cal-OSHA regulations are modified to be consistent with the CDC and CDPH, we will let employers know of the change immediately.

Furthermore, local health orders may also require that individuals with close contact exposure quarantine for 14 days.  As always, employers should follow the most restrictive requirements applicable in their jurisdiction.

Liebert Cassidy Whitmore attorneys are available to assist employers that have any questions about the new CDPH recommendations.