In the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19, the CDC announced quarantine and isolation time is now shortened for anyone who tests positive for COVID.

What was once a 10-day quarantine is now only five days for people infected with COVID who are asymptomatic, followed by a requirement to wear a mask in public for another five days. The CDC says people who have COVID are most infectious two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

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The clock starts the day one's COVID test is positive. At the end of five days, those infected who have no symptoms can return to normal activities but must still wear a mask around others for five more days.

If symptoms persist after five days, the CDC says to stay in isolation until the symptoms are gone.

Along with those changes, anyone with the booster who comes in contact with an infected person but doesn’t have symptoms can skip quarantine as long as they wear a mask around others for 10 days.

This also applies to those who finished their two-dose vaccine less than six months ago or their Johnson & Johnson shot less than two months ago.

As the Omicron variant causes a surge in COVID cases, health officials say the increased volume of people having to isolate or quarantine threatens the ability for businesses and hospitals to stay open.

They're now hoping to keep society running smoothly despite the spike in cases. Health officials say cutting isolation and quarantine does not come without risk, so it's still crucial for everyone to continue wearing their masks.