The Centers and Disease Control and Prevention is dramatically scaling back its isolation recommendations for those who test positive for COVID-19, a decision that advocates say puts people with disabilities at undue risk.

The agency said late last week that it would do away with its recommended five-day isolation period after a positive COVID-19 test. Instead, the CDC will now urge individuals with the virus to stay home and away from others, but says they can return to normal activities when they have been fever-free and their symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

The updated COVID-19 guidelines align with recommendations for other common respiratory illnesses like the flu and RSV.

The changes come as the U.S. is seeing fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19, the CDC said. The agency noted that states and countries that have already adjusted their recommendations have not seen an uptick.

In addition, officials said that having a unified approach across respiratory viruses will make the recommendations easier to follow and compliance more likely since it does not depend on testing.

“(This) announcement reflects the progress we have made in protecting against severe illness from COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. “However, we still must use the commonsense solutions we know work to protect ourselves and others from serious illness from respiratory viruses — this includes vaccination, treatment and staying home when we get sick.”

Once people are cleared to resume normal activities under the new guidelines, the recommendations indicate that they should wear a mask, maintain distance from others, practice enhanced hygiene and take other preventive steps for five days. These precautions are particularly important to protect those at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, the CDC said.

Maria Town, CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, or AAPD, said that while she appreciates the CDC’s recommendation to maintain certain preventive measures, curtailing the isolation guidelines is problematic.

“I am disappointed and frustrated by the CDC’s decision to reduce isolation timelines and continue to put high-risk and disabled people in grave danger with these new guidelines,” Town said. “In February, roughly 20,000 people were being hospitalized with COVID each week. These deaths and hospitalizations are acutely felt by disabled people and other high-risk people.”

AAPD and the Autistic Self Advocacy Network say that the changes are just the latest example of the CDC failing to consider the impact of its COVID-19 policies on people with disabilities.

The CDC acknowledged in its updated guidance that people with certain disabilities have a higher risk of complications from respiratory viruses, citing data showing that even though those with intellectual disabilities were just as likely as others to get COVID-19, they had three-and-a-half times the risk of death during the first two waves of the pandemic.

The updated recommendations indicate that people with disabilities should employ various prevention strategies including getting vaccinated, wearing masks, taking steps to have cleaner air and pursuing testing and treatment if infected. In addition, those who rely on direct support providers should open windows, use air filters and employ other strategies for cleaner air, ask if support staff have symptoms, request that they wash their hands frequently and wear a well-fitting mask, the CDC said.

Town, from AAPD, notes that even with the revised guidelines, people with disabilities can lean on existing civil rights protections if they are concerned about their health risks.

“That means that if you are high-risk, you may request reasonable accommodations at work, in school and in your community to help keep you safer,” Town said. “This can mean working from home, and scheduling changes and/or additional protective equipment and air quality improvements at work if you cannot work from home. Organizations can expand their paid time off policies to help their workers stay home while sick and recovering.”

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