The recommended time in isolation according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now 5 days instead of 10 for those who test positive but experience no symptoms.

According to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, the new recommendation aims to balance "what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses," in light of industries feeling the pressure due to increased numbers of employees being quarantined as Omicron cases are on the rise. 

Last week, asymptomatic health care workers' recommendation for isolation was reduced to 7 days. 

According to the updated guideline, infected individuals should continue to wear face masks for at least five days to "minimize the risk of infecting others." 

The CDC also reduced the quarantine time to 5 days for unvaccinated individuals and those who have not yet received a booster shot. Those who have received a booster shot do not need to isolate at all but should adhere to strict mask-wearing for 10 days.

In a statement, Walensky warned that the Omicron variant "is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society."

The Director reiterated that "prevention is the best option," adding that people should "get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather."