Information for people exposed to COVID-19

How will I know if I have been exposed to COVID-19?

COVID-19 is common in the community. We ask people with COVID-19 to tell the people they have spent time with from 2 days before they started having symptoms or 2 days before they tested positive (whichever came first) that they have COVID-19.

If you are told that you have been in contact with someone that has tested positive to COVID-19, you should use this advice to understand your risk and what you can do to protect yourself, your family and your community.

Who is at risk of getting infected?

The risk of getting COVID-19 increases:

with the amount of time you spend with someone who has COVID-19 and how closely you interact with them
when you are indoors (the risk is lower if you are outdoors)
when you don’t wear a mask (the risk is much lower if the person you are with also wears a mask).

Vaccination decreases the risk of getting COVID-19, but this protection reduces over time and can be less effective against certain variants of COVID-19. A booster vaccine will significantly increase your protection, against severe illness. Everyone should get their booster as soon as they are eligible.

To find a COVID-19 vaccination appointment near you, please visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder.

How long am I at risk for?

After being exposed to someone with COVID-19 you are at risk of illness for 14 days. Most people who develop COVID-19 will get symptoms in the first 7 days, however some people will develop symptoms between day 7 and 14.

What should I do if I have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19?

Your risk of getting COVID-19 is based on the type of contact you had with a person who has COVID-19. When thinking about what steps you can take to reduce the risk to yourself and others, think about your personal circumstances, including the risk you could infect vulnerable people you live or work with, especially if they have conditions that make them more susceptible (for example, chronic illness, or undergoing chemotherapy).

If you live with someone who has COVID-19 you must follow the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines.

If you were in contact with someone who has COVID-19 outside of your household (i.e. you don’t live with them), please use the table below to assess your risk and take steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

All people exposed to someone with COVID-19 should monitor for symptoms. If symptoms develop, get tested for COVID-19 immediately. If you need to get tested and cannot access a rapid antigen test, you can get a test at a testing clinic.

Take time to speak with your GP about your personal health circumstances. If you are at a higher risk of severe illness you may be eligible for certain treatments available that only work when used in the early stages of illness. Having these discussions with your doctor early can help you develop a plan for what to do if you get sick.

What if I have recently recovered from COVID-19?

Generally, you do not need to test or self-isolate if you have had COVID-19 and have been released from self-isolation in the last 12 weeks, because the risk of reinfection is low.

If you have any new symptoms in the 12 weeks since you have been released, you should stay home until they resolve. If you are at a higher risk of severe illness and have symptoms during this 12 week period, you should talk to your doctor as they may recommend that you get tested or have treatment.

For further information, see the testing positive factsheet.

What are some examples of high and low risk exposures?

Use this table to assess your risk of COVID-19, and what to do, if you are told you are a contact of someone with COVID-19.

About you	Risk of COVID-19	What do I need to do?
I live with someone who has COVID-19 (I am a household contact) OR I have been formally notified by NSW Health that I am a close contact (I am a close contact)	High	All household contacts and close contacts must comply with the NSW Health Household and Close Contact Guidelines. For 7 days after a person in your household has tested positive you must: Self-isolate and have a COVID-19 test if you have any symptoms Not visit high-risk settings (healthcare, aged care, disability care or correctional facilities) unless you need care, or there are exceptional circumstances and you have obtained the permission of the facility to visit (e.g. for end of life visits). Tell your workplace or educational facility that someone you live with has tested positive to COVID-19, and seek their approval before returning to work or school if you cannot work or study from home. If you are over 12 years of age you must wear a mask when you are in an indoor setting that is not your own home, including work and tertiary education settings (such as TAFE and University). School and early childhood education settings may have their own guidance for students which should be followed. Masks can be removed in some circumstances (for example, if you have a physical or mental health condition or disability that makes wearing a mask unsuitable, or if you are eating or drinking). A summary of these reasons can be found here. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a person in your household tests positive, it is also strongly recommended that you: Work or study from home where you can. Avoid contact with people at high risk of severe illness as much as possible. Avoid large or crowded indoor gatherings where you will be in contact with groups of people that you don’t live with, where possible. Where practicable, do a rapid antigen test if you need to attend an indoor gathering with people that you don’t live with, even if you do not have symptoms (including in workplaces and schools).
I spent a long time with someone who has COVID-19 (e.g. I stayed overnight at their house or I spent the evening indoors at the house) or I interacted closely with someone who has COVID-19 and we were not wearing masks (e.g. we drove a long distance together, or I looked after children who are now positive.)	High	As you are at high risk of COVID-19, it is strongly recommended that you follow the steps above for household and close contacts. While this is not mandatory, this is important in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and protect people around you. Monitor closely for symptoms, and if these develop at any time, get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until you receive a negative result.
I spent some time with a person who has COVID-19 (e.g. we had dinner together or met at a pub, club or other social function.)	Moderate	It is recommended that you follow the steps for household contacts where possible. In particular, avoid entering high risk settings, and visiting people at higher risk of severe illness where you can. Monitor for symptoms, and if these develop at any time, get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until you receive a negative result.
I had brief or distanced contact with a person with COVID-19 (e.g. I dropped off shopping, or we went for a walk outdoors), or I received a case alert in the Service NSW App.	Low	Keep taking steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, regularly washing you hands, and wearing a mask if you go to crowded or poorly ventilated areas. Monitor for symptoms, and if these develop at any time, get tested for COVID-19 and isolate until you receive a negative result.

Who is at higher risk of severe illness?

People aged 60 years and older
Pregnant women
Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people (from age 35 years and over)
People with obesity, diabetes, serious cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease (including severe asthma requiring hospitalisation the last 12 months), severe chronic liver or kidney disease, active cancer or who are immunocompromised
Some people with a disability including those with a disability that affects their lungs, heart or immune system
Residents of aged care and disability care facilities
People aged 18 years and older who are unvaccinated

If you have symptoms and are at higher risk of severe illness, a PCR test is recommended.

For additional information for workplace-based exposures refer to NSW Government - Guidance for businesses with a worker who tests positive for COVID-19.

How can we all help slow the spread of COVID-19?

There are simple steps we can all take to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Don't go anywhere if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Get tested immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, avoid high-risk settings (healthcare, aged care, disability care, correctional facilities) as much as possible in the first 7 days. If you have to visit one of these settings, we encourage you to do a rapid antigen test just beforehand and wear a mask while visiting.
Stay 1.5 metres away from other people where possible and avoid crowds
Wear a mask
Clean your hands regularly with hand sanitiser or soap and running water for 20 seconds
Hold social gatherings outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, with limited numbers

For more information

For further information on supports available in self-isolation, see the Self-Isolation Guideline.

For more information about testing for COVID-19 see What COVID-19 test should I do?

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