The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its recommended length of time for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or have come into close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19. The CDC explained that the reason for the change is based on science that demonstrates that the virus is transmitted early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.
The CDC has grouped individuals into two (2) general categories based on the extent of an individual’s vaccination status. The first category involves individuals who are deemed more protected from the virus and includes those who have either (1) received a Booster shot; or (2) have received 2 shots of either the Moderna or Pfizer Vaccine within the last six months; or (3) received the one dose of J&J vaccine within the last two months.
The second category involves individuals who are deemed less protected from the virus and includes those individuals who have either (1) received 2 shots of either the Moderna or Pfizer Vaccine more than six months ago and did not receive a Booster shot; or (2) received the one dose of J&J vaccine more than two months ago and have not received a Booster shot; or (3) are currently unvaccinated.
The CDC then recommends what should occur if an individual in either category comes into close contact with someone who is positive or that individual tests positive. NJ CAR has sought to simplify these recommendations by creating the following chart that clearly outlines the recommendations and includes suggested testing protocols.
CDC ISOLATION/QUARANTINE CHART
| Employee Vaccination Status | Exposed to Someone With COVID-19 | Tested Positive with COVID-19 |
| If Employee:
● Have been Boosted. OR
● Received both doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months (6 Months or Less). OR
● Received the one shot of the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months (2 Months or less).
|
● No Quarantine BUT wear a mask around others for 10 days.
● Get a Rapid Test on day 5 and produce a negative result.
● If employee later develops symptoms, they must get a PCR Test and isolate home for 5 days. Must produce a NEGATIVE PCR TEST to return to work.
|
● Isolate home for 5 days.
● If employee has no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after 5 days, they may leave their home.
● The employee must continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
● Produce a NEGATIVE PCR TEST before returning to work. |
| If Employee:
● Received both doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over 6 months ago (6 Months or more) and Not Boosted. OR
● Received the one shot of the J&J vaccine over 2 months ago (2 Months or more) and Not Boosted. OR
● NOT VACCINATED
|
● Quarantine home for 5 days. Can return to work and continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
● Get a PCR Test on day 5 and produce a negative result before returning to work.
● If employee later develops symptoms, they must get a PCR Test and isolate home for 5 days. Must produce a NEGATIVE PCR TEST to return to work.
|
● Isolate home for 5 days.
● If employee has no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after 5 days, they may leave their home.
● The employee must continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
● Produce a NEGATIVE PCR TEST before returning to work. |
Dealerships should continue to protect employees and customers by implementing the following public health and safety recommendations:
- Businesses are encouraged to follow CDC safety guidelines and social distancing to save lives and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Masks are not required for most indoor workplaces; however, businesses should encourage unvaccinated employees, customers, and guests to wear masks.
- If masks or gloves are required by employers, businesses are encouraged to provide them to employees.
- Businesses are encouraged to provide approved sanitization materials for employees and visitors at no cost to those individuals.
- Employees should practice hand hygiene and employers should provide employees with sufficient break time for that purpose.
- Routine cleaning and disinfection of all high-touch areas of the showroom and service waiting areas is encouraged in accordance with DOH and CDC guidelines.
- Sanitize vehicles before and after service, test drives and upon delivery.
- Prior to each shift, employers are encouraged to conduct daily health checks, such as temperature screenings, visual symptom checking, self-assessment checklists, and/or health questionnaires, consistent with CDC guidance.
- Employers are encouraged to keep sick employees from entering the workplace and follow requirements of applicable leave laws.
- Encourage sick employees to stay home.
- Employers should promptly notify employees of any known exposure to COVID-19 at the worksite.
NJ CAR recommends that, at a minimum, dealerships should place signs at the entrance of the dealership and conspicuously throughout the dealership that encourages unvaccinated individuals to wear a mask.
Additional information on New Jersey recommendations for businesses may be found at: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/reopening-guidance-and-restrictions/are-there-safety-guidelines-for-businesses-are-any-businesses-closed
Additional information on the CDC’s new recommendations for Isolation and Quarantine ma be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html