While the newest COVID-19 variant, Omicron, is less virulent, it is highly transmissible and federal and state agencies have taken steps to implement new rules to address both of these factors.
 
On December 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC") updated its guidance for quarantine and isolation because “science demonstrat[es] that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.” The CDC shortened both the recommended quarantine and isolation periods. However, with the same guidance, the CDC recognizes that even vaccinated individuals are contracting the Omicron variant at a higher rate than prior variants and it recommends a period of quarantine for certain vaccinated individuals.