Isolation and Quarantine Information
CUNY continues to follow the latest CDC guidance on isolation and exposure. Any students, staff or faculty who test positive with COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with COVID-19 must notify their professor(s) or supervisors as applicable and follow the guidelines below, prior to returning to campus.
Isolation and Quarantine Information
CUNY continues to follow the latest CDC guidance on isolation and exposure. Any students, staff or faculty who test positive with COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with COVID-19 must notify their professor(s) or supervisors as applicable and follow the guidelines below, prior to returning to campus.
If You Test Positive for COVID-19
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
- If you had no symptoms, you may end isolation after 5 days
- If you had mild symptoms, end isolation after 5 days if you have been fever free for 24 hours (without medication) and other symptoms are improving
- If symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until you are fever free for at least 24 hours and symptoms improve
- If you had moderate symptoms (shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) you should isolate for 10 days
- If you had severe symptoms (hospitalization), isolate for 10 days and consult your doctor; you may need a viral test before ending isolation
Removing your Mask
If you have ended isolation and are feeling better, you may remove your masks after 10 days.
With two sequential negative antigen tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.
If your antigen test results are positive, you may still be infectious. You should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have two sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10.
In late September 2024, U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year.
After you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
- You do not need to quarantine
- Take precautions for 10 full days
- Wear a high-quality mask; avoid situations where you cannot wear a mask
- Monitor for symptoms; if you develop symptoms, isolate immediately, get tested and stay home until you know the result
- Get tested at least 5 days after your close contact (the date of your exposure is considered day 0); if you test positive, stay home and isolate per guidelines above
- If your exposure is from someone you live with, you should reach out to your Campus Coronavirus Liaison
- If you develop symptoms, get a test, stay home and follow the isolation guidelines above