COVID-19: Information for Household and Close Contacts – Ministry of Health

Last updated: 24February 2022

In light of new variants of COVID-19, such as Omicron, the Ministrys approach to case management and contact tracing will continue to be updated to reduce widespread community transmission.

On this page:

See also:

If you live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (a case) then you may receive a text message telling you that you are a household contact which will provide you with a link to find out what this means.If you have a NZ mobile, then these texts will come from 2328. If you are concerned that a text is not genuine, you can call or email Healthline and request a call back.

If you live with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 you must follow these steps (whether you are vaccinated against COVID-19 or not):

The factsheet below provides helpful information on COVID-19 and precautions you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. The fact sheet should be read together with the advice onself-isolationorstaying at home (viewable atAdvice for people with COVID-19)and any specific advice that may be given to you by your doctor, Healthline(0800 358 5453) or public health official.

If you are a household contact who is vaccinated and asymptomatic, and work for a critical service, you may be able to continue to work through theClose Contact Exemption Scheme.

Last updated 24February 2022.

You may be told that you are a close contact by someone you know who has tested positive for COVID-19, your employer, or your education provider.

You are considered a close contact if you have:

The above only applies if you have been in contact with a COVID-19 case during their infectious period, which is two days before symptom onset or the date they were tested (if they have no symptoms).

If you have been told you are a close contact, then:

Close contacts are not required to isolate during Phase 3.

If you have been identified as a close contact, you may choose to change your behaviour based on personal circumstances. This could include working from home, not visiting vulnerable family or friends, or isolating if you choose to. You can find advice here: Isolating from others

If you use the NZ COVID Tracer app and have Bluetooth enabled, you may get an orange alert telling you that you are a close contact. The alert will tell you what to do - it is important that you follow these instructions. Learn more about the NZ COVID Tracer app.

Information on how to contact Healthline if you are deaf or hard of hearing can be found atCOVID-19: Information and advice for the deaf community.

Regardless of guidelines for testing and self-isolation, any time you develop symptoms of COVID-19 stay at home and get a test.

If you are required to self-isolate the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is available to help you. Most people can manage self-isolation with help from whnau, family and friends. There may be financial help available if you need it. MSD can also connect you to local community organisations for help with food and other welfare needs.

There are section 70 orders that legally require those who have been identified as a household contact to isolate at home.Read the section 70 public health orders.

You can find out how your personal information is managed throughout the contact tracing process at COVID-19: Your privacy.

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COVID-19: Information for Household and Close Contacts - Ministry of Health