NYS updates quarantine/isolation guidelines

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — New York State has officially updated its guidance for isolation and quarantine and the biggest impact appears to be on teenagers. If a child over the age of 12 is exposed to COVID-19 and eligible for the booster shot– unless he/she has that shot or has had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 90 days, they will not be able to play sports or do extracurricular activities during the quarantine period.

Here’s how the guidance breaks down:

Unvaccinated Students 12+ Exposed to COVID-19:

• May “Test to Stay” for daily in-school instruction (if district participates) during 5 day quarantine period.
• Cannot play sports/extracurricular activities during 5 day quarantine period.

Vaccinated Students 12+ Exposed to COVID-19 (who are eligible but have not yet received a booster shot):

• May attend in-school instruction.
• Cannot play sports/extracurricular activities during 5 day quarantine period.

Boosted Students 12+ Exposed to COVID-19:

• Can attend Class.
• Can attend Sport/Extracurricular.

Anyone with Confirmed COVID-19 within 90 days:

• No Quarantine.

Vaccinated Students ages 5-11:

• No Quarantine.

Gov. Kathy Hochul held a briefing on Friday in Albany (watch the full press conference in the video below, mobile users, click here):

“So here’s the newsflash… turning the corner, you heard it here first, I’ve been waiting to say that, (we’re) turning the corner. Look at the seven-day average of cases starting to decline,” she said.

The Governor did not directly mention the new quarantine guidelines put out by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) but did praise the “Test to Stay” program, “test negative, they’re back in school that’s what the Test to Stay is all about. So, we’ll be giving more to schools very soon,” she told New Yorkers.

“Test to Stay” allows exposed unvaccinated students to test daily in order to continue in-person learning however the state still recommends those students continue to quarantine outside of school hours.

A number of local districts and counties tell News10NBC they’d like the Governor and NYSDOH to consider a “Test to Play” option too.

“This is a decision that I think has to rest with our state colleagues I do think that here in Monroe County we certainly have the ability to test to play… but I don’t know if that’s the case across all counties so, while it would be a decision that I’d like to make on my own, the reality is that we don’t live in a bubble. And when our students make the playoffs and have to go to another region we don’t want them to be penalized,” explained Monroe County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza.

Click here to read the full guidance.