Ontario introduces shortened isolation periods, new testing guidelines

Ontario is shortening its COVID-19 isolation period for some individuals and introducing new testing guidelines for the public, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kieran Moore announced Thursday.

Effective immediately, the province is shortening the required isolation period from ten days to five for vaccinated individuals.

Moore said the decision was made based on "growing evidence that generally healthy people with COVID-19 are most infectious for the two days before their symptoms develop and for three days after."

Individuals with COVID-19 who are vaccinated, as well as children under 12, will only be required to isolate for five days following the onset of symptoms. Isolation for these individuals can end after the five-day period as long as their symptoms have improved for at least 24 hours, the government says. Their household contacts will also be required to isolate with them.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or are immunocompromised will still be required to isolate for 10 days.