Isolation and Exposure Guidance for General Public (Including K-12 Schools and Daycares)

Updated 3/7/24

The general public does not include people who work in healthcare settings or people who work in, reside in, or attend other congregate settings, such as correctional facilities, long-term care facilities and residence halls/group living at institutions of higher education. People who work in healthcare should follow the guidelines outlined on the healthcare worker webpage. People in congregate settings continue to follow the previous KDHE isolation and quarantine guidance at this time.

Isolation (Test Positive or Have Symptoms after Exposure)

What happens if someone from the general public tests positive for COVID-19?

• If you test positive for COVID-19, you must remain at home until your symptoms are getting better for at least 24 hours AND you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. 
• It is recommended that you still wear a mask around others for 10 full days from when you first got sick.
• You should notify your close contacts that you tested positive and tell them to monitor for symptoms and mask per the guidelines below.
• Treatments are available for people at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Click here for more information.

What happens if someone from the general public tests positive for COVID-19 using an at-home test?

• If you test positive from an at-home test, you should follow the isolation guidelines above. 
• You should notify your close contacts that you tested positive and tell them to monitor for symptoms and mask per the guidelines below.

How can you protect your family from getting COVID-19 after you test positive?

• You should stay away from other people in your home to avoid spreading the virus to them. 
  
  • If you can, isolating in a room by yourself and using a separate bathroom is best. If you can't do this, you should stay as far away from other household members as possible.
• Surfaces (like doorknobs, tabletops, and bathroom fixtures) in your home should be disinfected daily. 
• You should not share food or personal items with other household members. 
• Wear a mask when other people are present and maintain six feet distance. 

When can you get vaccinated?

• Wait until you are feeling better and you meet the criteria to stop isolating.
• Children or adults with a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C or MIS-A) after COVID-19 infection should consult with their clinical team to assist with decisions about the use of COVID-19 vaccines.
• For older adults ages 65 and over, the CDC recommends waiting 3 months after a COVID-19 infection before receiving a second dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 Exposure (Close Contact of Someone with COVID-19)

CDC and KDHE no longer recommended quarantine after exposure to someone with COVID-19. However, people with COVID-19 exposure should still follow the recommendations below, regardless of vaccination status.

• Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of last exposure. 
• Test on Day 5 (antigen or PCR).
• If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home until results are available. 
  • If you test positive, follow the guidance for isolation above. 

Who is considered a “close contact?”

CDC has moved away from the previous definition of a close contact and moved toward information for individuals on "Understanding Exposure Risks" (more information).

Multiple factors increase the risk of getting COVID-19 after being exposed to someone with COVID-19 including:

1. Longer time spent with the infected person
2. If the infected person was coughing, singing, shouting or breathing heavily
3. If the infected person had symptoms
4. If neither the infected person or the exposed person were wearing a high-quality mask
5. If the space was poorly ventilated
6. If the exposed person was very close or touching the infected person

When two more of these factors are present, the exposed person should follow exposure guidelines and mask for 10 days. 

What happens if someone from the general public is a close contact of someone with COVID-19?

• If you are a close contact, you should follow the recommendations above.
• If you develop symptoms while you are in quarantine, you can check the testing locator website to find a testing location near you.
• If you test positive, you can spread the virus and should remain at home and in isolation for 5 full days or until symptoms are resolving and you are fever-free 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, whichever is longer, then wear a mask for an additional 5 days (per the Isolation Guidelines above).