Business owners react after CDC recommends shorter COVID isolation, quarantine times

PITTSBURGH — Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut the quarantine time guidelines in half, it’s now helping businesses like gyms and restaurants stay staffed and operate safely.

“Certainly it’s a help, because obviously its half the time,” said Glenn Hawley, the owner of Napa Prime and Off the Hook in Warrendale.

Hawley was happy to hear the CDC shortened the isolation restrictions to five days for those who are diagnosed with COVID-19.

Hawley said the previous 10-day quarantine was affecting staffing at his restaurants during its busiest time.

“How do you operate? If you’re already at short staff and you got reservations coming tonight and all of a sudden you lose one, two or three people, that really impacts your business,” said Hawley.

According to the CDC, there’s more evidence that people infected with COVID-19 are most susceptible two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

The recent surge in the omicron variant was also a factor in the CDC’s decision.

In the meantime, the new guidance also helps businesses like Studio Beyond in Wexford, as more people are expected to hit the gym at the start of the new year.

“With the spread of COVID increasing with omicron, I think this would be a nice way for businesses to stay open and do it safely with the five days instead of 10 days. Get(ting) staff with active mask wearing after those first five days is a way to keep staff once the most contagious portion is over,” said Joanna Amelio, the owner of Studio Beyond.

The CDC said the five-day isolation begins the day a person tests positive. If there are no symptoms, they can return to work, but must wear a mask for the next five days, even at home around others.

This is just a recommendation, not a mandate.

Those who are not fully vaccinated and were exposed to the virus should also only quarantine for five days.

The CDC also said people who received their booster do not need to quarantine if they wear a mask for at least 10 days.

With the new COVID variant spreading, some restaurants and gyms are reverting to old protocols. Napa Prime and Off the Hook are now requiring their employees to mask up again. Studio Beyond still has limited capacity for each class and is holding virtual classes.