United States health officials have reduced quarantine restrictions for Americans with the coronavirus who do not show signs of infection. Individuals without signs of infection should isolate for five days, instead of 10, officials say. The health officials also shortened the time that those exposed to the virus should stay away from other people. Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the change on Monday. The agency said there is growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop. The decision was also driven by the large increase in COVID-19 cases because of the Omicron version, or variant, of the virus. Early research suggests Omicron may cause less severe sickness than earlier versions of the new coronavirus. But the large number of people becoming infected and isolating themselves is hurting businesses, experts say. Last week, the agency also changed rules for health care workers. Earlier, rules said that health care workers should stay away from work for 10 days if a test shows they are infected with the virus. The new guidelines say workers could go back to work after seven days if a test shows they do not have the virus and do not have symptoms. On Monday, the CDC changed its isolation and quarantine guidance for the public. The change is aimed at people who are not experiencing symptoms. People who have symptoms during quarantine should stay home, the agency said.