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                              What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
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What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?








  
  
    

  
      



Isolation and quarantine are public health practices used to protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

**Isolation** separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
	**Quarantine** separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. These people may have been exposed to a disease and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms.Follow CDC guidance about quarantine and isolation for COVID-19:

**Quarantine** and stay away from others when you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
	**Isolate** if you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t have symptoms.
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Content created by Digital Communications Division (DCD) Content last reviewed January 12, 2022 Back to top
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