Information for people exposed to COVID-19

Who is at risk of being infected with COVID-19?

The risk of infection increases:

  • if you live with someone who has COVID-19 (household contact)
  • if you spent a long time with someone who has COVID-19 and interacted closely with them (for example, you stayed overnight at their house)
  • if you were indoors with someone who has COVID-19 (the risk is lower if you were outdoors)
  • if you or the person with COVID-19 were not wearing face masks (the risk is lower if you were both wearing a face mask)

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

There are simple steps you can take to reduce to reduce the risk to others:

  • closely monitor for COVID-19 symptoms
  • if you can, wear a mask when in indoor spaces that are not your own home and on public transport
  • consider testing regularly for COVID-19 using a rapid antigen testing (RAT)
  • avoid visiting people
    • at higher risk of severe illness
    • in hospital
    • an aged care facility, or
    • disability care facility.

If you cannot delay visits to a high-risk setting, take a rapid antigen test (RAT) before you go and contact the facility to get approval to enter.

If you work in a high-risk setting, like a hospital, aged or disability care facility or provide in-home aged or disability care services, follow the policy of your employer about any steps you need to take

You should wear a mask when entering a high-risk setting.

How long am I at risk for?

After being exposed to someone with COVID-19, you are at risk of developing it for 14 days.

The majority of people who develop COVID-19 will do so in the first 7 days after they are exposed.

However, some people still develop COVID-19 between day 8 and 14.

Counting days since exposure

When counting days since exposure, you must include day zero (0).

Day zero is the last day of your potential exposure to a person with COVID-19.

If you are in a household with someone who has COVID-19 your last date of exposure will be the date of the test of the last time someone in the household tested positive for COVID-19.

How do I get to a COVID-19 test?

See COVID-19 testing.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

Last Updated: March 18 2024