In the context of growing global population immunity from COVID-19 vaccination and past SARS-CoV-2 infection, WHO recommends that identification, contact, quarantine and follow-up should be prioritized for individuals at high risk who have been in contact with a confirmed or probable case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, rather than targeting all contacts. • This group includes individuals who are older than 60 years, are immunocompromised or have multiple comorbidities; pregnant women and individuals living or working in high-risk settings such as healthcare, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The rationale for prioritizing contacts at high risk for identification and follow-up is that they have higher chances of developing severe disease and will benefit the most from early diagnosis and medical support. • Contact tracing should be conducted for all contacts during periods of time characterized by uncertainty such as the emergence of new variants of concern or as otherwise indicated by national health authorities’ assessments. In these uncertain situations the contact tracing activities need to be adapted to the context and the availability of resources. • Supported quarantine measures should be applied for (i) contacts at high risk, (ii) in high-risk settings and (iii) uncertain situations (such as the emergence of a new variant of concern). • Wherever possible, contacts should have access to free or affordable and reliable testing, including self-tests. Additionally, public health messaging should provide clear information about COVID-19 testing options. • All contacts who in the last 90 days have (i) completed the primary series vaccination, or (ii) have received a vaccine booster dose, or (iii)have reported a previous COVID-19 infection do not need to quarantine. • Contacts at high risk and those living in high-risk settings, who have not completed a primary series or received a booster vaccine dose, or who have not reported a previous infection in the last 90 days, need to quarantine for 10 days. Quarantine can be shortened to 5 days if the contact tests negative on day 5 and presents no symptoms. • Under uncertain situations (such as the emergence of a new variant of concern, or as otherwise indicated by assessments conducted by national health authorities), all contacts should quarantine for 14 days as a precautionary measure, although this period could be shortened with testing, if the characteristics of the new variant and detection methods for it are suitable. • Digital technologies, such as contact tracing application, which require low resource engagement from public health systems, should be explored, assessed and implemented to support management of contact tracing, notification and effective public health messaging. • National and local health authorities should use risk-based approaches to contact tracing and quarantine that include reviewing and adjusting to their local circumstances and disease epidemiology, population immunity, their health system’s capacities, and risk tolerance.