The Centers for Disease Control slashed the recommended quarantine time for asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 this week, a move aimed at easing labor shortages in essential industries like air travel and the health care sector.
The CDC now urges those with very mild or no symptoms of the disease to isolate for five days instead of 10 after testing positive.
“Airline and other industry officials have been calling on the agency to shorten recommended quarantine and isolation times. They said the slew of flight cancellations were largely driven by employees who tested positive for the virus and were isolating for 10 days. Airline officials, as well as those from other industries, have expressed concern that omicron’s transmissibility would make it impossible to keep businesses running if they followed earlier guidelines,” reports the Washington Post.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian asked federal officials to revise the guidelines in late December.
“With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the 10-day isolation for those who are fully vaccinated may significantly impact our workforce and operations,” Bastian wrote. “Similar to healthcare, police, fire, and public transportation workforces, the Omicron surge may exacerbate shortages and create significant disruptions.”
Bastian confirmed that more than 90% of Delta’s workforce is “fully vaccinated” with rates increasing daily.
Read the full report here.
