• On December 26, 2020, the New York Department of Health updated its guidance on releasing individuals from quarantine as a result of an exposure to COVID-19, which supersedes any previous guidance issued related to the length of quarantine
• Consistent with recent CDC guidance (available below), quarantine for individuals exposed to COVID-19 can end after 10 days without a testing requirement if no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period, and individuals must:
  • Continue daily symptom monitoring through day 14;
  • Be counseled to continue strict adherence to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions, including hand hygiene and the use of face coverings, through day 14;
  • Be advised that if any symptoms develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this change in clinical status and determine if they should seek testing
• These quarantine requirements are also applicable to travelers who are not essential workers and/or who did not complete the testing requirements described in Executive Order 205.2 (available here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/no-2052-quarantine-restrictions-travelers-arriving-new-york)
• This quarantine guidance is applicable to health care personnel working at nursing homes or adult care facilities certified as EALRs or ALPs who were exposed to COVID-19 such that these individuals may be released from quarantine in accordance with the guidance described above; however, they must remain furloughed from work for 14 days. Return to work guidance for nursing home staff after COVID-19 infection can be found here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/05/nh-letterregardingemployees-4.29.20.pdf
• This guidance applies to exposed individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 who have not tested positive. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate. Information on isolation and when it ends can be found here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/05/doh_covid19_discontinueisolation_053020-final.pdf
• More information on the December 26, 2020 guidance can be found here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/12/covid19-health-advisory-updated-quarantine-guidance-12.26.20.pdf 
• Guidance on how to quarantine can be found here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/03/quarantine_guidance_0.pdf
•  The CDC’s recent quarantine guidance is available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html and a summary of this guidance is available here: https://www.lgtlegal.com/news/CDC-Issues-Updated-Guidance-on-When-to-Quarantine-Due-to-COVID-19_321-news.htm

The Attorneys in the Labor and Employment Practice Group at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP are available to provide advice and counsel concerning matters related to COVID-19.