HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) is revising the state’s COVID-19 isolation and quarantine policies to closely align with recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These changes are effective Monday, January 3, 2022 for all DOH directed isolation and quarantine.

If COVID-19 positive regardless of vaccination status

  • Isolate for at least 5 days and until symptoms are gone.
  • Continue to wear a mask for five days after isolation.

If exposed to COVID-19

  • Boosted, or fully vaccinated within past six months (or within past 2 months if J&J)
    • No need to quarantine
    • Wear a mask for ten days
    • Get tested on day five
  • Neither boosted nor fully vaccinated
    • Quarantine for five days
    • Wear a mask for five days after quarantine
    • Get tested on day five

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even mild symptoms, should stay home from work, school and other activities. Those with symptoms who have not been tested should be tested as soon as possible.

“We are adopting the CDC recommendations as one part of our effort to blunt the current very rapid spread of the Omicron variant. These guidelines are practical to implement, making it easier for people to do the right thing. The guidance also acknowledges the waning immunity we are seeing with time after initial vaccination,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. “There is still much we do not know about transmission dynamics of the Omicron variant. We will continue to follow the science. We should all anticipate that guidance may continue to evolve in the coming weeks as we learn more.”

“The new policies underscore the benefits of booster shots. People who are boosted and do not have symptoms will not need to quarantine after exposure to someone who is COVID positive,” said Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP. “Mask wearing is a key part of the updated guidance. We know how important masks are in reducing the spread of COVID-19.”

While the revised guidance is effective Monday, January 3, 2022, it will take some time to update printed and online material.

Vaccination and testing options are available at hawaiicovid19.com.

# # #

PDF: DOH revises state’s isolation and quarantine policy

Categories: News Releases
Recent Posts

Hawai‘i COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise

HONOLULU, HI – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) reports a rise in the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The number of total positive COVID-19 hospitalizations has increased over the past week (3/26 – 4/4) from [...]

Wastewater Samples Show Higher COVID Concentrations & New Subvariant

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health’s most recent Wastewater Surveillance Report documents two significant developments about COVID-19 in Hawai‛i. Higher concentrations of the virus that causes COVID-19 The arrival of the XBB.1.5 subvariant Higher concentrations [...]

Bivalent boosters for keiki as young as 6 months

Updated COVID-19 bivalent boosters are now available in all counties for keiki as young as six months of age. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the emergency use authorization for the bivalent boosters [...]

Select Archive Month