Guidelines for Returning to Work

In most cases, you do not need a negative test to return to work. The exceptions are:

• Staff (and students) who are participating in a Test to Stay program at their school – Your school will provide more information.
• Health care professionals – Get details about the requirements for health care professionals from the CDC.

Some employers may also choose to require a negative test before you go back to work. You can talk with your employer about how to arrange for a test if they require one.

I was exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19. When can I go back to work?

As of Dec. 28, 2021, isolation and quarantine guidelines for the general population and most workplace settings have changed. Those changes DO NOT apply to the following settings:

• Commercial maritime settings such as commercial seafood and cargo ships
• Crowded work sites where physical distancing is not possible due to the nature of the work, such as in warehouses, factories, and food packaging and meat processing facilities
• Correctional facilities
• Healthcare settings
• Homeless shelters and transitional housing
• Temporary worker housing
• Childcare facilities 
• In addition, K-12 schools have their own isolation and quarantine guidance. Check with your administration for guidance.

If you work in any of the settings listed above except healthcare settings, follow the quarantine guidelines below. For healthcare guidelines, see the following sections.

• If you're unvaccinated, you should quarantine as soon as you know you have been exposed. We will likely recommend you get tested between 3 and 7 days after exposure. If you do not test positive, you will remain in quarantine until you are released from your quarantine by the Health Department. Quarantine generally lasts 14 days from the date of exposure but can be as short as 7 days depending on your circumstances.  

• If you are fully vaccinated, you should get tested 3-5 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. You should isolate for 10 days if your test result is positive or you develop symptoms.

I was sick with COVID-19. When can I go back to work?

As of Dec. 28, 2021, isolation and quarantine guidelines for the general population and most workplace settings have changed. Those changes DO NOT apply to the following settings:

• Commercial maritime settings such as commercial seafood and cargo ships
• Crowded work sites where physical distancing is not possible due to the nature of the work, such as in warehouses, factories, and food packaging and meat processing facilities
• Correctional facilities
• Healthcare settings
• Homeless shelters and transitional housing
• Temporary worker housing
• Child care
• In addition, K-12 schools have their own isolation and quarantine guidance. Check with your administration for guidance.

If you work in any of the settings listed above except healthcare settings, follow the isolation guidelines below. For healthcare guidelines, see the following section.

• Symptomatic workers must remain in isolation until:
  • It’s been at least 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medication.
  • Your symptoms have improved.
  • It's been at least 10 days since your symptoms started.
• Asymptomatic workers must remain in isolation until: 
  • It's been at least 10 days from the date of your first positive COVID-19 test.
  • You have had no further symptoms.

You do not need a negative test to return to work unless specified by your employer.

Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for Healthcare Workers

As of January 21, 2022, the CDC has updated interim guidance for managing healthcare personnel with COVID-19 infection or exposure. Refer to these guidelines for the most recent updates. 

If you start to experience symptoms, you should go home immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

Do I need a negative test to return to work?

In most cases, you do not need a test to return to work. The exceptions are:

• Staff (and students) who are participating in a Test to Stay program at their school – Your school will provide more information.
• Health care professionals – Get details about the requirements for health care professionals from the CDC.

Some employers may also choose to require a test before you go back to work. You can talk with your employer about how to arrange for a test if they require one.

COVID-19 Symptoms, Severity, and Treatments

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of coronavirus may include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list is not all-inclusive. The CDC continues to update their list of symptoms as more becomes known about COVID-19.

How severe is COVID-19?

Many who get COVID-19 do not require medical care or hospitalization, but some people get severely ill with respiratory problems like pneumonia.  According to the CDC, people most at risk for severe illness are:

• People older than 65 years
• People with chronic medical conditions
• People with weakened immune systems
• Pregnant people

The virus has grown less predictable as new variants evolve. Younger people are being hospitalized at much higher rates than they were with previous strains of the virus. While most people with COVID-19 recover and return to normal health, some patients can have symptoms that can last for weeks or even months after recovery from acute illness. Even people who are not hospitalized and who have mild illness can experience persistent or late symptoms. Learn more about long term symptoms on the CDC’s website.

COVID-19 vaccines protect against the worst disease outcomes from the virus. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and find a vaccine provider near you on our vaccine page. 

Can people spread the virus before they develop symptoms?

Yes. COVID-19 can be spread by individuals who are not exhibiting typical symptoms. In some cases, the individual may not have developed symptoms yet, and in other cases, people may carry and spread the virus without ever experiencing symptoms.

Are there any treatments for COVID-19?

Yes, there are a number of treatments and anti-viral medications for COVID-19 patients. They are most effective when administered as early as possible in your infection. Because many of these treatments are relatively new, supplies are still low and they are distributed by the Washington State Department of Health to different facilities.

For more information, talk to your health care provider.

Preventing COVID-19 Infection

The best way to prevent you or others from being infected with COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. All COVID-19 vaccines currently in use are effective at preventing both infection and spread of the virus. 

Added layers of protection will help keep you safe and prevent others from getting sick. 

• Wear a mask in all public indoor settings, and in any private indoor setting where you can't be certain everyone in attendance is fully vaccinated.
• Wear a mask in public outdoor settings where physical distancing is not possible or realistic and you don't know the vaccination status of others.
• Practice healthy habits by washing your hands and covering your coughs and sneezes.
• Watch for symptoms and get tested if you think you have been exposed.