What does being a close contact mean?
You have been in close contact with someone who has confirmed coronavirus disease but you do not have any symptoms yourself. Close contact means that you had face-to-face contact within 1 meter or were in a closed space for more than 15 minutes with a person with COVID-19. This contact happened while the person with COVID-19 was still “infectious”, i.e. from 2 days before to 14 days after their symptoms began. For example, you may be someone who:
- Lives in the same household as a person with COVID-19
- Works closely in the same environment as a person with COVID-19
- Sat in the same classroom as a person with COVID-19
- Attended the same gathering as a person with COVID-19
- Provided direct care for a person with COVID-19 in a healthcare setting without using the proper personal protective equipment
- Sat within two seats (1 meter) in any direction of a person with COVID-19 case in any kind of vehicle including buses, minibus taxis, etc.
- Served as a crew member in the section of an aircraft where a person with COVID-19 was seated
Will I be tested for coronavirus disease as a close contact?
You will only have a laboratory test performed if you develop symptoms within 14 days of your last close contact with a person with COVID-19 who is considered infectious, i.e. able to transmit infection. A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious from 2 days before to 14 days after they became ill. Refer to guidance on what to do if I think I have coronavirus disease?
Will my own close contacts be tested for coronavirus disease?
No, your close contacts will only have laboratory testing if you are first confirmed to have COVID-19 and they develop symptoms. Refer to guidance on what to do if I think I have coronavirus disease?