The Covid advice for people travelling to the US have been updated amid recent changes to guidelines set out by the Centre of Disease Control's (CDC).
On August 11, the CDC issued a major update that 'streamlined' Covid advice. The American public health agency has eased its recommendations, explaining that the changes are intended to better reflect the "stronger place" the country is now with the pandemic.
The Foreign Office's update reflects the new rules on what to do if you have been exposed to someone with Covid. The guidance has dropped the recommendation to quarantine after possible exposure.
"Today, CDC is streamlining its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus," announced the agency.
The overhaul was led by "significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic", explained the CDC.
Now, instead of isolating after exposure to Covid, the guidelines advise wearing a high-quality mask for 10 days and getting tested on day five.
The CDC advises people to do the following immediately after Covid exposure:
- Wear a mask as soon as you find out you were exposed
- Start counting from Day 1
- Day 0 is the day of your last exposure to someone with COVID-19
- Day 1 is the first full day after your last exposure
The health agency recommends continuing the above precautions for 10 full days, adding: "You can still develop COVID-19 up to 10 days after you have been exposed."
Screening of asymptomatic people without known exposures will no longer be recommended in "most community settings".
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