No More 5-Day Isolation Period: CDC Says Those With COVID Can Return To Work, School Under These Conditions

For the last few years, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that individuals with COVID-19 isolate for at least five days before returning to school or work. Now, the CDC has new guidelines.

What Happened: The agency announced on Friday that people infected with COVID-19 can return to work or school if they go without a fever for 24 hours and their symptoms are improving.

The director of the CDC, Dr. Mandy Cohen, said the new, simplified guidelines will make it easier for people to follow them, while also protecting the public from the spread of deadly diseases.

Quoted: "Our goal here is to continue to protect those at risk for severe illness, while also reassuring folks that these recommendations are simple, clear, easy to understand and can be followed," Cohen said, per the New York Times.

A sharp decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths this winter compared to previous years is a reason the agency can lighten guidelines, Cohen said.

Travel stocks could benefit from the CDC’s new protocol that allows people to get back to their daily lives without isolating for five days.

Airline stocks like United Airlines Holdings Inc UAL, American Airlines Group Inc AAL, Southwest Airlines Co LUV and others could see a boost in ticket sales. Other travel companies that could possibly benefit include Expedia Group Inc EXPE and Booking Holdings Inc BKNG.