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City of Long Beach Amends Isolation, Quarantine Health Orders

LBLN

 Today, the Department of Health and Human Services issued amendments to both the Isolation Order and the Quarantine Order, in an effort to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19, protect older individuals and prevent the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.

“As we begin to reopen Long Beach, we must continue to follow the science in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “The amended Isolation and Quarantine Orders ensure that we are doing everything we can to keep Long Beach safe.”

New evidence suggests that the virus may be infectious earlier and may take longer to go away. Therefore, new orders have been issued regarding self-isolation, for people who have or may have COVID-19, and self-quarantine, for those who may have been exposed.

Self-Isolation

The amendment requires individuals who have tested positive or have symptoms and think they are positive for COVID-19 to self-isolate for at least 10 days after symptoms first appear (previously 7 days), AND at least three days (72 hours) after fever goes away without the use of medication, whichever is later.

Anyone required to isolate may not leave their place of isolation or enter any other public or private place for the duration of their isolation period, except to receive necessary medical care. Additionally, individuals in self-isolation are required to notify any close contacts they had up to 48 hours before their symptoms started, or while they were symptomatic, of their potential exposure so they may self-quarantine.

For the purpose of the Isolation Order, a person has or is likely to have COVID-19 if:

  • They receive a positive lab test for COVID-19.
  • They exhibit signs and symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days of being in close contact with a person who had or was believed to have had COVID-19.
  • They have been informed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant that they are likely to have COVID-19.

Any person who meets the above conditions must adhere to the requirements outlined in the Home Isolation Instructions for People With Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) Infection.

Self-Quarantine

The amendment requires anyone who knows they have been in close contact with a person who has or is likely to have COVID-19 (as defined above) from 48 hours BEFORE the person started having symptoms and while they had symptoms to self-quarantine in a residence for 14 days from their last exposure to the person.

A person is considered to be in close contact with a person who has or is likely to have COVID-19 if they:

  • Live with or frequent a household where the person who has or is likely to have COVID-19 lives.
  • Is an intimate partner of someone who has or is likely to have COVID-19.
  • Is a caregiver for someone who has or is likely to have COVID-19.
  • Has had any contact with someone who has or is likely to have COVID-19,from 48 hours before they began showing symptoms until that person’s isolation ends.
  • Were within six feet of someone who has or is likely to have COVID-19 for more than 10 minutes.
  • Have had unprotected direct contact to secretions or excretions (sneeze or cough) of someone who has or is likely to have COVID-19.

Individuals are required to quarantine themselves for the entire 14-day COVID-19 incubation period because they are at high risk for developing and spreading COVID-19. Quarantined persons may not leave their place of quarantine or enter any other public or private place for the duration of their quarantine period, except to receive necessary medical care.

Everyone who meets the above conditions must follow the requirements outlined in the Home Quarantine Guidance for Close Contacts to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Health Officer may take additional action(s), which may include civil detention at a health facility or other location, to protect the public’s health if an individual who is subject to this order violates or fails to comply with this order. Violation of this order is also a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment, fine or both.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit: longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.