Georgia Coronavirus Policy

If you were exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19 or have been told by a healthcare provider or public health authority that you were exposed, follow the guidance. If you have questions, please call 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584).

Exposure Guidance (8/12/2022)

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 infection or if a healthcare provider or public health official has told you that COVID-19 infection is suspected, follow the guidance. If you have questions, please call 866-PUB-HLTH (866-782-4584).

Isolation Guidance (8/12/2022)

Testing is available to all Georgians who request it, whether they have symptoms or not.

You should isolate yourself while you wait for test results. During the waiting period for your test results, it is essential to remain at home and away from other family members as much as possible to prevent the possible spread of COVID.

When you get tested:

• Make sure to test at the right time
• Choose the right type of test for your circumstance
• Follow test directions as recommended by FDA

If you do not, your results may be less likely to correctly indicate whether you have COVID-19 or not.

Key times to get tested:

• If you have symptoms, test immediately.
• If you were exposed to COVID-19 and do not have symptoms, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before testing. If you test too early, you may be more likely to get an inaccurate result.
• If you are in certain high-risk settings, you may need to test as part of a screening testing program.
• Consider testing before contact with someone at high risk for severe COVID-19, especially if you are in an area with a medium or high COVID-19 Community Level.

For guidance on using tests to determine which mitigations are recommended as you recover from COVID-19, go to Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19.

Viral tests look for a current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by testing specimens from your nose or mouth. There are two main types of viral tests: nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) and antigen tests. In certain circumstances, one test type may be recommended over the other. All tests should be performed following FDA’s requirements.

• NAATs, such as PCR-based tests, are most often performed in a laboratory. They are typically the most reliable tests for people with or without symptoms. These tests detect viral genetic material, which may stay in your body for up to 90 days after you test positive. Therefore, you should not use a NAAT if you have tested positive in the last 90 days.
• Antigen tests* are rapid tests which produce results in 15-30 minutes. They are less reliable than NAATs, especially for people who do not have symptoms. A single, negative antigen test result does not rule out infection.  To best detect infection, a negative antigen test should be repeated at least 48 hours apart (known as serial testing). Sometimes a follow-up NAAT may be recommended to confirm an antigen test result.

*Self-tests, or at-home tests, are usually antigen tests that can be taken anywhere without having to go to a specific testing site. Follow FDA and manufacturer’s instructions, including for the number of times you may need to test. Multiple negative test results increase the confidence that you are not infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

• You can order free self-test kits at COVIDtests.gov or purchase tests online, in pharmacies, and retail stores.
• You can also visit FDA’s website to see a list of authorized tests.
• As noted in the labeling for authorized over-the-counter antigen tests: Negative results should be treated as presumptive (meaning that they are preliminary results). Negative results do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection and should not be used as the sole basis for treatment or patient management decisions, including infection control decisions. Please see FDA guidance on the use of at-home COVID-19 antigen tests.

Even with a negative test result, continue to practice standard safety protocol.

Use Vaccines.gov to find COVID-19 vax, boosters & flu shots at a location near you.

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 7 PM ET

Saturday – Sunday 8 AM – 1:30 PM ET

"Languages other than English available."

CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and the updated booster.

• Everyone ages 5 years and older should receive the primary series of COVID-19 vaccination.
• Everyone aged 5 years and older should receive 1 bivalent mRNA booster at least 2 months after completion of the primary series or any other previously administered monovalent booster dose(s).
  • The Pfizer bivalent booster is authorized for ages 5 years and older
  • The Moderna bivalent booster is authorized for ages 6 years and older
• A monovalent Novavax booster dose (instead of a bivalent mRNA booster dose) may be used in limited situations in people ages 18 years and older who completed any FDA-approved or FDA-authorized monovalent primary series, have not received any previous booster dose(s), and are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine (i.e., mRNA vaccine contraindicated or not available) or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive a booster dose.
• Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.
• People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. They should get a bivalent booster dose when they are eligible.
• COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest data.

Georgia residents who are currently sick, shut-in or homebound due to an ongoing physical or mental disability and are unable to travel to a COVID-19 vaccination site can request to receive vaccination at their home.

Please email HVS@dph.ga.gov or call (888) 572-0112 with the following information for the person who requires at-home vaccination:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• City
• County
• Contact phone number

GA COVID-19 Hotline: This hotline is for questions about COVID-19 and COVID vaccine only, not for scheduling appointments for vaccination... (888) 357-0169

ALL ABOVE INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM: https://dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting