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1. What are the quarantine requirements?

The new guidance is:

People with lab confirmed COVID-19 infections (regardless of vaccination status) 

1. Stay home for 5 days.
2. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days and you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, you can leave your house.
3. Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

People who are boosted who are Close Contacts of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection. People who are fully vaccinated with Pfizer/Moderna within last 6 months who are Close Contacts of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection. People who are fully vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson within last 2 months who are Close Contacts of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection  

1. Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
2. Test on day 5, if possible.
3. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

People who are fully vaccinated with Pfizer/Moderna over 6 months ago and no booster and are close contacts of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection. People who are fully vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson over 2 months ago and no booster or unvaccinated and are close contacts of a person with confirmed COVID-19 infection.

1. Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
2. If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
3. Test on day 5 if possible.
4. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home

2. Do I need to quarantine?

Our Travel-Related Quarantine page provides details on when quarantine is required and how to do it. Quarantine applies to both Kansas residents and visitors, and it begins the day after you arrive in Kansas. 

3. How do I home quarantine?

Those under home quarantine should not attend school, work or any setting where a 6-foot distance from other people can’t be maintained. Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance.

While at home:
• Use a symptoms log to monitor your symptoms for fever, cough or trouble breathing. If symptoms develop, notify your local health department.
• If you need to seek medical attention: Call ahead and tell your doctor about recent travel or if you have been otherwise exposed to COVID-19. Wear a facemask to prevent further spread.
• Consider wearing a facemask while at home because both asymptomatic and symptomatic people can spread the virus and wearing a facemask may help protect the people you live with.
• If possible, separate yourself from other people in your home. Stay in a different room and use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Cough or sneeze into the fold of your elbow. Alternatively, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day, including counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions.

 

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4. I traveled in an airport in one of the states that has a travel quarantine, but didn’t leave the airport. Do I need to quarantine?

No. If your travel was only to the airport (for example, a layover), you do not need to follow the quarantine orders. If you left the airport for any period of time, you would be subject to the 14-day quarantine

5. I’m supposed to travel somewhere soon. Should I cancel my trip?

Traveling increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) cannot tell you whether or not you should cancel your trip; however, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all people postpone or cancel non-essential travel and avoid prolonged exposure to large groups of people. Be aware that individuals who travel outside the United States or to certain states with the U.S., may be expected to quarantine pursuant to requirements above upon arrival in Kansas. Visit Shortened Quarantine Guidance.  Anyone who chooses to travel at this time may face travel delays or quarantines when trying to get back into the state and may not be able to return to their daily life immediately upon return.

 

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6. A family member traveled to one of the quarantine-required areas, but we live together. Do I need to quarantine too?

Only the individuals who have traveled are required to fulfill the quarantine period. Household members who live with them should practice social distancing from those quarantined individuals but are not quarantined themselves.

7. Why isn’t this other state on your list of quarantine locations?

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is constantly evaluating whether or not other locations need to be added to the list of travel-based quarantines. A variety of factors are used to determine this list, but is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance of community transmission. A formula is used to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then it is adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. States with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list.