Advisory from the State Health Officer on social gatherings: Due to rapidly rising COVID-19 cases, all residents of Mississippi should avoid any social gathering that includes individuals outside of the immediate family or household. MSDH recommends that Mississippians only participate in work, school or other absolutely essential activities, and avoid gatherings such as social events, sporting events, in-person church services, and weddings and funerals unless they involve only close family (preferably outdoors).

Home isolation is mandatory if you have tested positive for COVID-19 by order of the State Health Officer. (If you are awaiting results of routine testing not related to exposure, you may return to work and follow the safety guidance of your employer.)

Quarantine is mandatory for household members of someone who has COVID-19. Home quarantine permits working under certain circumstances.

Isolation

Isolation keeps someone who tested positive for COVID-19 away from others.

You don’t have to have symptoms to be isolated. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate themselves at home, away from others you may live with.

As soon as you learn that you have COVID-19, stay home until:

At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms began (or since your positive test, if you have no symptoms), and

It has been at least 24 hours since you last had a fever, without using fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen), and your symptoms have improved.

If you tested positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms:

Stay home until 10 days have passed since your positive test.

Do not go to work or into public until your isolation period ends. Remaining at home is important to prevent transmitting infection to others.

Isolation includes staying away from others in your home.

If you live with others, stay in a specific room or area reserved just for you. Stay away from other people or animals, including pets. Use a separate bathroom if available.

You do not need a negative test to end your isolation

After 10 days have passed since your positive test, or since the start of your symptoms, and you are fever-free with reduction in other symptoms, you may return to work and to other activities outside your home.

State Health Officer’s order on mandatory isolation

Quarantine

Quarantine keeps you away from others if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Close contact with someone who has COVID-19 indicates the need for quarantine at home. If you are a household member of someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must also quarantine at home.

If you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19:

Stay home until at least 14 days from your last exposure to an infected person.

Check your temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19.

Stay away as much as possible from those who could become ill from COVID-19, such as older adults or those in poor health.

As long as, you have no symptoms, you may leave home to go to your workplace if you are considered essential by your employer. You must wear a mask, at all times, while at work, and have your temperature and symptoms monitored by your employer. Do not attend social events or interact with others outside of your household for the duration of quarantine.

Details on working while in quarantine 

Consider getting testing for COVID-19, even if you do not have symptoms. Contact a testing provider near you, and, let them know that you have been exposed. Find a local COVID-19 testing provider.