How is isolation and quarantine enforced during a disease outbreak?

If a quarantinable disease is suspected or identified, the CDC may issue a Federal isolation or quarantine order. Public health authorities at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels may sometimes seek help from police or other law enforcement officers to enforce a public health order.  

Fines or Imprisonment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Coast Guard officers are authorized to help enforce federal quarantine orders.  Breaking a federal quarantine order is punishable by fines and imprisonment.  Federal law allows the conditional release of persons from quarantine if they comply with medical monitoring and surveillance.

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