State Releases Updated Coronavirus Quarantine Guidelines

NEW YORK STATE — Updated quarantine guidelines have been released that align with recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said this week.

Under the new guidelines, those exposed to COVID-19 can end their quarantine after 10 days without a testing requirement as long as no symptoms have been reported during the quarantine period, Cuomo said.

After Day 10 is reached, individuals must continue monitoring for symptoms through Day 14 and if any develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the local health department or a physician to report the change and decide if they should be tested, Cuomo said.

Cuomo repeated his mantra and said people must continue to social distance, wear masks, avoid gatherings, and celebrate smart to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

"As we approach the New Year and the end of the holiday season, all New Yorkers must remember one simple truth — celebrating smart stops shutdowns," Cuomo said. "While the holidays have always been synonymous with socialization, the data shows vast majority of new cases are stemming from private gatherings."

Cuomo has said 75 percent of new cases can be attributed to "living room spread" or private gatherings in people's homes.

"I understand not being able to join together with loved ones makes an already trying year more difficult, but it also means we control our own destiny," Cuomo said. "New York is leading the nation in quickly and efficiently administering the vaccine, so if we can continue that progress and the rest of us keep making smart decisions...we will finally reach the light at the end of the tunnel."