Information for people 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.

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. Everyone aged 16 years and over is strongly recommended to have a booster COVID-19 vaccine.

People who are aged 30 and over are eligible to receive a second booster dose (winter booster) of a COVID-19 vaccine. A second is booster is recommended for people aged 50 and over to prevent severe disease. For further information, see the COVID-19 vaccines: Frequently asked questions and the NSW Health Booster vaccination:  Frequently asked questions.

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

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.

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 at risk of severe illness (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.

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 4 weeks, because the risk of reinfection is low.

If you have any new symptoms in the 4 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, speak to your doctor about taking a COVID-19 test, they may also recommend testing for other respiratory viruses such as flu.

For further information, see the testing positive to COVID-19 factsheet.

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.

• 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

Older age is a risk factor for severe illness, particularly when combined with significant underlying health conditions.

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. 

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 further information on supports available in self-isolation, see theSelf-Isolation Guideline.

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

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