A sign along Route 124 in New Ipswich warns visitors of the high COVID-19 risk posed by a visiting evangelical group that told town officials they wouldn't follow the state's social distancing guidelines.
A sign along Route 124 in New Ipswich warns visitors of the high COVID-19 risk posed by a visiting evangelical group that told town officials they wouldn't follow the state's social distancing guidelines. Credit: Staff photo by Ben Conant

The state announced on Wednesday new quarantine guidance for those who have been exposed to COVID-19.

Granite Staters who have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days when they become exposed to the virus are no longer required to quarantine.

Furthermore, anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of the exposure does not need to quarantine either.

The new guidance is, in part, to ease staffing shortages

at long-term care facilities. Lengthy quarantine requirements have left some nursing homes with huge holes in their workforce.

Ben Chan, the state epidemiologist, said this doesn’t mean those people should flout other health guidance. He said the state still recommends wearing a mask and avoiding travel if you’ve come in contact with the virus.