New Quarantine and Isolation Protocols

Consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health, the university is revising its isolation and quarantine protocols.  The new protocols, broadly stated, are as follows:

 Isolation

An employee or student should isolate for at least 5 days after symptoms started or 5 days from the date of a positive COVID-19 test, 

• If the student or employee has symptoms, stay in isolation until all three of the following are true.

1. 1. 1. It has been five days since the student or employee first felt sick. Day zero is the day symptoms started. Day one is the first full day after symptoms started.
      2. The student or employee has had no fever (Temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or lower) for at least 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers fevers.
      3. The student or employee feels better. Any cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms are better.

• If the student or employee does not have symptoms.

1. 1. 1. Stay in isolation and away from others for five days after  the positive test date. Day zero is the day the student got tested.
      2. If the student or employee develops symptoms during this time, the student must start isolation over. Day zero is the day symptoms start. Day one is the first full day after symptoms started. Refer to the above section above on what to do if you have symptoms.

• After the isolation period ends, continue to wear a well-fitting mask, preferably a KN95 or KF94 mask or double up on a cloth mask  for another five days:

Quarantine

• If a student or employee is a close contact, the student does not need to quarantine if:

1. 1. 1. The student or employee has completed ALL recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine when eligible, including a booster or additional doses. Refer to CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines.
      2. The student or employee had COVID-19 in the past three months. Refer to CDC: COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know
      3. After exposure to the virus, the student or employee must :
         1. Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days when around others, even at home, preferably a KN95 or KF94 mask or double up on a cloth mask. The 10 days start from the day after the last close contact with someone with COVID-19. The actual day of close contact is counted as day zero.
         2. Get tested at least five days after close contact. If the student  or employee tests positive, the student or employee must now follow isolation recommendations at If You Are Sick or Test Positive.  

• If a student or employee is a close contact, they do need to quarantine if:

1. 1. 1. They are not vaccinated.
      2. They are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations. “Not up to date” means they have completed a primary COVID-19 vaccine series, but have not yet received the booster or they have received only one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Refer to CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines.

• For a student or employee who does need to quarantine, the following protocols apply: 

1. 1. 1. Wear a well-fitting face mask for 10 days whenever the student or employee is around other people. Refer to CDC: Improve How Your Mask Protects You
      2. Stay in quarantine for five full days.
      3. Test on day five.
         1. If the student or employee tests positive, they must now follow isolation recommendations at If You Are Sick or Test Positive. 
         2. If they test negative, finish the full five days in quarantine.
      4. On days six through 10:
         1. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others, preferably aKN95 or KF94 or double up on a cloth mask.

This information will be posted to the website as soon as we are able.