July 2025: Updated CDC & NYS COVID Protocol: What does this mean for Employers?

The CDC officially updated its guidance regarding COVID isolation protocol on March 1st. We break down what the latest guidance means for you and your employees.

What’s changed?

The significance of this change is that employees are no longer suggested (or required) to stay home for 5 calendar days from a positive test or the onset of symptoms. Instead, the CDC is now treating COVID like any other flu or similar sickness, suggesting that employees stay home when they are most contagious- while the most severe symptoms like fever persist, and then 24 hours after the symptoms start to improve. Generally, moving to the model of using best judgement and common sense to know when you’re too sick to work and spend time around others. Here is a link to the CDC’s formal guidance, including graphics to help guide employers in the new guidelines.

What does this mean?

This is good news for employers, because this means less mandated time away from work for staff, especially when employees may have no, or very mild symptoms despite a positive test. Employees should be encouraged to stay home while fever or more serious symptoms persist, but otherwise can return to work as soon as they are feeling well enough.

What does this change about COVID Paid Sick Leave in New York?

Update 7/31/25: NYS has sunset COVIS paid sick leave as of 7/31/25. Employers are no longer required to pay employees separate sick time for COVID diagnoses. Employees should be required to use paid time off for this, or take it unpaid, whatever is consistent with your Company time off and attendance policies for all other types of illness related absences (outside of leave, accommodation, or other extenuating qualifying circumstances).

What about masks?

Masks are still suggested when employees return to work (leave isolation) for the next 5 days. This is a suggestion, not a requirement, so employers have the choice if they want to mandate this practice or give staff the option upon return.

Questions? Reach out!