If You're Sick, Isolate

Isolate yourself at home if:

• you’ve received a positive lab test, or
• you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or
• you’ve been in close contact with someone who has or was believed to have had COVID-19 within 14 days AND you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptom, or
• a health care provider has said you are “presumptively positive”

How to self-isolate

Stay home entirely when you’re isolating because you are a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. Don’t visit public places or go out for a walk. Leave only to get medical care.

While you’re isolating:

• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces every day, including counters, tables, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, phones, remotes, and keyboards.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Have food and necessities delivered and left at your doorstep.
• If you have pets, arrange for someone else to care for them and walk them if needed.

If you live with other people, separate yourself from the rest of your household as much as possible:

• Don’t share household items, including dishes, utensils, towels, and bedding. Wash everything thoroughly after you use it.
• Don’t prepare or serve food for others.
• If you can, stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom.

Although staying in your own room is ideal, this is not an option for many in our community. If you can’t separate entirely from the rest of your household, take these precautions:

• Stay as far from others as possible - at least six feet.
• Wear a face covering while inside.
• Others should wear a face covering when they are in the room with you, wash hand often, avoid touching their face.
• Open windows or use a fan to keep air flowing.
• Clean the bathroom immediately after you use it, before others enter. Follow CDC instructions for cleaning and disinfecting.

The CDC has additional recommendations for people living in close quarters and living in shared housing.

Length of isolation, ending

City of Berkeley Isolation and Quarantine Health Officer Orders require people who have been diagnosed with or who are likely to have COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, to isolate themselves until at least one day has passed since they’ve recovered and 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

The length of isolation can be shortened if you:

• Have no symptoms and  
• You get a negative test (antigen test preferred) on Day 5 or later, you can end your isolation.

You are required to wear a well-fitting mask around others for the full 10 days.

Resources

Find more information in detailed isolation and quarantine information:

• CDPH Guidance for Isolation and Quarantine of the General Public
• Isolation and Quarantine guidance flyer (City of Berkeley)
• COVID-19 Symptoms flyer (City of Berkeley)
• Quarantine after COVID-19 exposure (City of Berkeley)
• City of Berkeley Isolation Health Order 
  • Exhibit 1: Isolation Order   

Last updated January 24, 2022