The San Luis Obispo County Health Department is offering two options for quarantining after COVID-19 exposure.
The Department is recommending most people follow the 14-day quarantine, given it's the most cautious option.
However, people who are asymptomatic and don't work in a high-risk setting can quarantine for 10-days, according to the press release.
This change was announced on Dec. 8 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But local public health authorities can choose the length suited to the area.
Even under the 10-day quarantine, the Department said people must adhere to COVID-19 precautions such as wearing a mask and social distancing. If they begin to exhibit symptoms, they must isolate and contact the Public Health Department.
“This approach balances a reduced burden of quarantine, including physical and mental health benefits and more complete compliance, against a small possibility of increasing the spread of the virus,” Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer, said in the press release. “It is a good option for some essential workers who are able to strictly follow COVID-19 precautions.”
The Department also said they are not adopting the seven-day quarantine for those with a negative test result, because it could result in a higher likelihood of transmission.
