Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.
UPDATE
Travel requirements to enter the United States are changing, starting November 8, 2021. More information is available here.

Contact Tracing

Contact Tracing
Updated May 31, 2022
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CDC is reviewing this page to align with updated guidance.

Contact Tracing Slows the Spread of COVID-19

Contact happens when people are near each other.

Contact tracing finds people who were near someone with COVID-19.

Contact Tracing Helps Protect People

Contact tracing helps keep your family safe from COVID-19.

Contact tracing helps keep your friends safe from COVID-19.

Contact tracing helps keep you safe from COVID-19.

Contact Tracing Tells People They May Have COVID-19

Contact tracing helps people know if they should stay home.

Contact tracing helps people know if they should stay away from others.

Contact tracing helps people get a COVID-19 test.

Contact tracing helps stop the spread of COVID-19.

Some Health Departments Use Contact Tracing

The health department might call you if you were near someone with COVID-19.

The caller may say you were near someone with COVID-19.

The caller might say you should get tested for COVID-19.

The caller may ask about people you were near.

The caller may ask about places you have been.

The caller may ask you if you got your COVID-19 vaccines.

The caller may ask you to stay home for 5 days.

The caller may ask you to stay away from people for 5 days.

The caller may ask you to wear a mask around other people for 10 days.

The mask should cover your nose and mouth.

The things you say will be kept private.

You can help with contact tracing if you have COVID-19

Think about people you were near starting two days before you got sick.

Think about places you went to starting two days before you got sick.

Tell people you were near they might have COVID-19.

Tell people you were near they should get tested for COVID-19.

Tell people you were near they may need to stay home.

Tell people you were near they may need to wear a mask for 10 days. The mask should cover their nose and mouth.

 

Original Guidance: If you were exposed

Download and Print: Contact Tracing [83 KB, 5 pages]

Development of these materials was supported by a grant from the CDC Foundation, using funding provided by its donors. The materials were created by the Center for Literacy & Disability Studies, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided subject matter expertise and approved the content. The use of the names of private entities, products, or enterprises is for identification purposes only and does not imply CDC endorsement.

Project funding ended 9/30/2021. All edits after that date are completed solely by CDC.