If you test positive for COVID-19 (isolate) everyone, regardless of vaccination status: Stay home, away from others for 5 days.

• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
• Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others, indoors or outdoors for 5 additional days.
• If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
• Call your doctor for medical support.

If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 (quarantine).

If you: Have been boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months OR completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months: Wear a mask around others for 10 days.

• Weston Public Health recommends that you get a PCR or antigen test on day 5.
• If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you: Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 5 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated: Stay home for 5 days. 

• After that continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days.
• Test on day 5, if possible
• If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home

For detailed general public isolation and quarantine guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health click here. If you have reviewed this information and still have questions, please call us at (781) 786-5033 or send an email to COVIDquestions@WestonMA.gov.

Additionally:

• Be sure to notify your close contacts if you test positive. Encourage them to visit this page to get guidance specific to them.
• Some details relating to quarantine, isolation, and testing can depend on where you work, go to school or live. Some locations may have policies stricter than Mass DPH or the Local Board of Health – be sure to be alert to location-specific policies, many of which can be found here.
  • Health Care Personnel click here.
  • For Licensed Childcare provider guidance click here. Please also contact your child’s program director for next steps.
  • Please reach out to your school nurse or school administration for more information. For complete K-12 School COVID-19 Health and Safety Information click here. Schools may have policies stricter than Mass DPH or the Local Board of Health. 

Layered Measures to Reduce your Risk of Getting and Spreading COVID-19:

Get your vaccine, get your booster: 

Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination, such as young children, by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated. 

• Use the Massachusetts DPH Vaccination Finder and select fields to include all site types for the fastest appointments. 
• If clinics appear full there may be openings the day of or the day before so check back. 
• If you are unable to navigate the computer for scheduling dial 2-1-1 on your phone. If you are unable to get to a vaccine location you can call the In-Home Vaccination Program Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Representatives are available in both English and Spanish and have access to translators for over 100 languages. 

Local clinics will be announced on the top of this page and residents are encouraged to visit the State’s Vax Finder and COVID-19 Testing Locator. 

Access your digital vaccine card via MyVaxRecords.Mass.Gov.  Click here for frequently asked questions or to learn about how to correct an error. Out-of-state vaccinations will not show on the digital vaccine card. Your paper record(s) remain valid proof of vaccination.

Plan: Communicate openly with family and friends about your vaccination status and that of your guests. Discuss your risk tolerance. Plan for what to do if anyone has symptoms (delay travel and seek testing.)

Wear a Mask: The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) released an updated mask advisory on 12/21/2021, recommending that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear a well-fitting mask or face covering in indoor, public spaces. Masks are also recommended in certain scenarios at home, as when living in the same home as a COVID-19 positive person.

DPH particularly urges this recommendation for individuals who have a weakened immune system or are at increased risk for severe disease because of age (60 and older) or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated, has a weakened immune system, or is at increased risk for severe disease.

All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including transportation and health care facilities.  Please see here for a complete list of venues where face coverings have remained mandatory since May 29, 2021. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s current mask requirement and Policy on Vaccination Rate Threshold issued on September 27th, 2021 is not impacted by this advisory. 

Assess for Symptoms: You are asked to be particularly vigilant about self-assessment for symptoms. Call your doctor, daycare program director, or school nurse if you/your dependent(s) are ill. Seek testing. Symptoms of a COVID-19 infection can include any of the following, which are also common to the common cold and other viruses, influenza (seasonal flu) and even allergies: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache in combination with other symptoms, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. 

Get a Test: The general advice is to get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and 5 days after last close contact with a COVID-19 positive person. Extensive details can be found here.  See above if you test positive. Additionally:

• PCR tests are still the gold standard and most sensitive test for COVID-19. They are required in some situations, like for foreign air travel, screening before surgery, or possibly for return to school or work after quarantine. Observed antigen tests (like at a doctor's office) or self-tests are also called for in some situations.
• Self-tests are available to all Americans through a federal program go to COVIDtests.gov or call 800-232-0233. See additional self-testing information here.  Self-testing is just one way to test for COVID-19. Use the State test finder to find a lab-run test near you. 
  • Where to Buy Additional Self Tests: Walmart.com, Walgreens, Amazon are all great places to start a search for home kits (seek tests with either FDA approval or FDA EUA approval). These tests can seem hard to find but inventory is restocked regularly.  

Ventilate: Hosting an event? Ventilate; opening your windows about 6 inches to allow the flow and exchange of air can help reduce the number of viral respiratory particles in the air.

Stay Informed: Get Notifications: Enable MassNotify on your smartphone - This private and anonymous service notifies users of potential exposure to COVID-19 so they may take the appropriate precautions.

Stay Well: Wash your hands frequently and with vigor for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Stay home if you are sick. Care for your physical and mental health during this complex time – call your doctor if you feel like you cannot cope. Help is available.

Regarding Travel: If you are considering traveling for a holiday or event, visit CDC’s Travel page to help you decide what is best for you and your family. CDC still recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated.

• If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, follow CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations for unvaccinated people.
• Everyone, even people who are fully vaccinated, is required to wear a mask on public transportation under Federal Order and follow international travel recommendations.
• Know before you go: Check testing requirements before travel.

Special Considerations:

• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider. You might choose to wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission if a member of your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.

Questions? Ask a nurse! Call (781) 786-5033, email COVIDquestions@WestonMA.gov
or visit our website www.westonma.gov/health