New City, NY, – The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has updated the COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidance as of May 31, 2022. Under the updated guidance, you are considered up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you by the CDC, as determined by your age and health status. NYS continues to experience COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The purpose of this new guidance is to keep people healthy and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Anyone who is not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations must quarantine for 5 days after close contact with someone with COVID-19, according to NYSDOH guidance. That includes:
- Anyone who is not vaccinated or has not completed a primary vaccine series.
- Anyone ages 5 or older who has completed the primary series of recommended vaccine, and is eligible for a CDC recommended booster shot, but has not received it. You are eligible 5 months after your primary series.
- ** NEW ** Anyone ages 50 years and older or are immunocompromised, a second booster is recommended and is needed to stay up to date. You are eligible 4 months after your first booster.
You are considered up to date 2-weeks after your primary series if you are not eligible for a booster. You are considered up to date immediately after your booster dose(s).
There is an exemption related to quarantine and isolation for children’s attendance in childcare and school programs (K-12) and early childhood education settings. You do not need to quarantine if you have had a confirmed COVID-19 in the last 90 days.
For more information on the New York State Isolation and Quarantine Guidance and exemptions visit: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/isolation-quarantine.
The CDC has a tool to help you determine whether you should get a booster, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html.
“If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you must follow the NYS Isolation Guidance. If you are not up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, you must follow the updated NYS Quarantine Guidance if you have been exposed to COVID-19. Everyone’s cooperation with the guidance is needed to curb the spread of the disease and prevent further disability and death among our neighbors,” said County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert.
To help lessen the spread of COVID-19, continue to follow other COVID-19 prevention measures. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.
To get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, visit the RCDOH COVID-19 webpage for appointments and information at http://rcklnd.us/covid19. To find a vaccine near you, visit https://www.vaccines.gov/, and the New York State (NYS) Am I Eligible webpage.
“We’ve come a long way and are much better protected against COVID-19 than ever before. I encourage and trust that Rockland residents will make the decision they feel is most appropriate to protect themselves, their families, and our community,” said County Executive Ed Day.
If you have COVID-19 questions contact the Rockland County COVID-19 Call Center at 845-238-1956 or email COVIDCALLCENTER@co.rockland.ny.us. You can also visit the county’s COVID-19 webpage at http://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19/ or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rockhealth or Twitter at www.twitter.com/rockhealth for more information.