Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
for the general public
Find A Testing Site
Quarantine, Isolation, and Vaccination Calculator
Use our COVID calculator to know when you are considered fully vaccinated, when and how long you need to quarantine, reinfection timeframes and more. Note: the isolation and quarantine portion of the calculator is still programmed at 10 days, not 5.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Isolation: When a person who is sick is asked to stay home and limit interractions with others, even those they live with. This includes anyone who tests positive and has symptoms, anyone who tests positive but has no symptoms, and those who have symptoms but have not been tested.
Quarantine: When a person who is not sick is told to stay home because they have been exposed to someone who is sick.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The isolation and quarantine guidance on this page only applies to the general public. To see guidance for other groups, click here.
ISOLATION
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should:
- Stay at home and isolate yourself from others for five days.
- After five days you may leave your house if you have no symptoms, but you should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional five days.
- Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
- Do not travel.
- Do not share personal household items (like cups, towels, and utensils).
- Notify your close contacts, including those you were with 2 days (48 hours) prior to testing positive. Contacts of a contact do not need to quarantine but should monitor themselves for symptoms.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you need emergency care, seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Always follow guidance from your local health department or contact tracers.
- Fill out this form to allow our nurses to provide you with better service.
Isolation explained
Why the CDC shortened I&Q for the general public
How to talk to your close contacts
What to do if you are sick
If you are caring for someone with COVID-19
We know isolating at home can be difficult. If you need assistance with food, shelter, childcare, etc., we can help.
QUARANTINE
If you were exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, there is no need to quarantine, wear a mask indoors around others for 10 days. You do not need to wear a mask outside around others, but it is recommended. Test for COVID-19 around day 5 (or test sooner if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19). If you become positive, isolate from others and follow isolation guidelines.
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days while indoors.
- Get a COVID-19 test on day five if asymptomatic. Testing locations can be found at www.michigan.gov/coronavirustest or by calling 211
- Get a COVID-19 test if you develop symptoms. Testing locations can be found at michigan.gov/coronavirustest or by calling 211
- If you test positive for COVID-19 you should stay home and follow the isolation instructions at the top of this page.
- Always follow guidance from your local health department or contact tracers.
Quarantine explained
Why CDC shortened I&Q for general public
What to do if you are sick
Steps to take while waiting for COVID-19 test results
Protect yourself and your community by stopping the spread of COVID-19. Download the app and get notifications if you may have been exposed to the virus.