Travelers wearing face masks are seen at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, the United States, on Nov. 25, 2020. (Photo by Joel Lerner/Xinhua)

The CDC requires people in quarantine to stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3  -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised its guidelines regarding COVID-19 quarantine period, from 14 days to seven to 10 days, depending on one's test results and symptoms.

If individuals do not develop symptoms, they only need quarantine for 10 days without testing; if they test negative, that period can be reduced to seven days, according to the guidelines updated on the CDC website Wednesday.

The revision marks a significant change from the CDC's guidelines since the start of the pandemic, which recommended a 14-day quarantine after last exposure.

"Reducing the length of quarantine may make it easier for people to quarantine by reducing economic hardship if they cannot work during this time," said the CDC.

"In addition, a shorter quarantine period can lessen stress on the public health system, especially when new infections are rapidly rising," it noted.