Cal/OSHA just updated its FAQs on COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) to incorporate new guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on isolation and quarantine periods.

In December 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-84-20, which states that the recommended isolation and quarantine periods in the ETS will be overridden by any CDPH applicable isolation or quarantine recommendation if the ETS periods are longer than those recommended by CDPH.

The CDPH Updates as of January 6, 2022 clarified quarantine for workplace settings for fully-vaccinated persons who are booster-eligible, but have not yet received their booster dose. And removed Appendix to determine when a person is “booster-eligible” and instead provided direct link to CDC recommendation.

With only one exception noted in the FAQ, the new isolation and quarantine recommendations from CDPH replace the exclusion periods and return to work criteria in sections 3205(c)(9) and 3205(c)(10) of the ETS.

Persons Who are Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine) – Unvaccinated; OR Vaccinated and booster-eligible but have not yet received their booster dose (Refer to CDC COVID-19 Booster Shots to determine who is booster eligible):

– – Stay home (PDF) for at least 5 days, after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
– – Test on day 5.
– – Quarantine can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present and a diagnostic specimen collected on day 5 or later tests negative.
– – If unable to test or choosing not to test, and symptoms are not present, quarantine can end after day 10.
– – Wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings (see Section below on masking for additional information).
– – Strongly encouraged to get vaccinated or boosted.
– – If testing positive, follow isolation recommendations in another section of the guidance.
– – If symptoms develop, test and stay home.

In a workplace setting, asymptomatic employees in this category are not required to stay home from work if:

– – A negative diagnostic test is obtained within 3-5 days after last exposure to a case
– – Employee wears a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days
– – Employee continues to have no symptoms.

Persons Who are Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (No Quarantine) – Boosted; OR Vaccinated, but not yet booster-eligible.

– – Test on day 5.
– – Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days, especially in indoor settings (see Section below on masking for additional information)
– – If testing positive, follow isolation recommendations above.
– – If symptoms develop, test and stay home.

Workers who have questions about COVID-19 hazards at work can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a Cal/OSHA representative during normal business hours.