Last updated: 23 August 2020

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Who this applies to

People who have been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19

If you are identified as a close contact, you will be contacted by the Ministry of Health or your local District Health Board's Public Health Unit through the contact tracing process.

If you have been told that you are a close contact then you need to self-isolate for 14 days from the last date of contact with the case while they were considered infectious

You will be asked to self-isolate at home or, in some specific circumstances (eg a dependent is a confirmed case) at a managed facility.

If you show no symptoms, your household contacts do not need to self-isolate.

People waiting for a test result under Alert Level 3 or 4

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and are tested you need to self-isolate while awaiting the test results.

Even if you test negative, you should stay home while unwell or as advised by your health practitioner.

You should minimise contact with others in your household while you wait for your test result.

Others in your house only need to self-isolate while you wait for results if you are being tested because you have symptoms and are a close or casual contact of a confirmed (or probable) case of COVID-19 who has developed symptoms.

People living in the same household as someone who is a close contact and symptomatic

If you are living in the same household as someone who is symptomatic and has been identified as a close contact, then you should self-isolate while they wait for a test result.

Information for others self-isolating

Air and vessel crew

See the Border controls page for self-isolation requirements.

People granted exemption from managed isolation

If you have been granted an exemption from managed isolation you should follow the advice provided to you. The advice given to you takes precedence over this general advice.

See Managed isolation and quarantine exemptions for further information.

People tested with no risk factors at Alert Levels 1 and 2

If you have no risk factors for exposure to COVID-19, but have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, you may still be tested for COVID-19 to help monitor community transmission of COVID-19 in New Zealand.

At Alert levels 1 and 2 there is no need to self-isolate while awaiting test results, however, as you most likely have another illness, you should stay home while unwell, and follow the advice of your health practitioner on when you can return to work/school.

About self-isolation

Self-isolation is an effective precautionary measure to protect those around you – your family, friends, colleagues – from potentially contracting COVID-19. It means taking simple, common-sense steps to avoid close contact with other people as much as possible, like you would with the seasonal flu virus. We know it’s a stressful time, but taking these measures will help protect you, your family and all of New Zealand from COVID-19 and other common infectious diseases.

You should minimise contact with others in your household while you wait for the test result. Others in your house only need to self-isolate while you wait for results if you have symptoms and are a close or casual contact of a confirmed or (probable) case of COVID-19.

You should not have visitors to your home, but it is okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food and supplies.

See if you or others become unwell while self-isolating below for more information.

You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, pillows or other items with other people in your home. After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water, place them in the dishwasher for cleaning or wash them in your washing machine.

Your health care provider will advise when you are able to leave self-isolation.

There is more information on all of these aspects on this page.

If you or others become unwell while self-isolating

You will be monitored for symptoms of COVID-19 during the 14 days you are self-isolating. If you develop any symptoms, contact Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453. The symptoms of COVID-19 are one or more of cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, sneezing and runny nose, and temporary loss of smell.

You may be tested for COVID-19. If you were in close or casual contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 and you are showing symptoms, your household contacts should self-isolate while awaiting the test results.

If you are unwell, you can leave home to access health services, but you need to tell the service in advance that you are in self-isolation, and wear a mask if they provide you with one at entry to their premises. You should use private transport to access health services unless you require emergency services.

If you need to call emergency services, please let them know you are in self-isolation.

For all non-health related questions, call 0800 Government (0800 779 997).

If someone you live with becomes unwell while you are self-isolating, they should call their GP or Healthline for free on 0800 358 5453.

Basic advice

Staying at home and self-isolating presents its own challenges, but there are things you can do to make the 14 days easier.

Talk to your employer, friends and family to ask for their help to access the things you will need.

Talk to your employer to see if you can work from home during this time.

Where possible, ask friends or family to drop off anything you need or order supplies online. Make sure any deliveries are left outside your home for you to collect. Many New Zealand companies are now offering a ‘contactless’ delivery option, where they notify you when they have delivered your order but remain nearby to ensure you receive it.

You can keep in touch with friends and family over the phone or internet, but don’t have physical contact with anyone who isn’t isolating with you.

Physical exercise is good for your wellbeing. Look for online classes or courses to help you take light exercise in your home.

You can go outside, but you need to limit your contact with others. It’s ok to go for a walk, run or ride your bike, as long as you avoid people who aren’t self-isolating. (Note that this advice does not apply to confirmed cases that are self-isolating).

Don’t use public transport, taxis or similar transport methods during your 14-day period. You can use your own transport means (car, bike etc).

You can live with others during your 14 days, but you need to avoid close contact with them. This means you shouldn’t share beds, linen or food.

Hygiene

Wash your hands often

You can protect yourself and the people you live with by cleaning your hands frequently throughout the day. You should use warm water and scrub with soap for at least 20 seconds before drying your hands thoroughly. You can also use hand sanitiser if your hands are not visibly dirty. Good hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways of reducing the risk of infection to you and to other people. If you live with others, they should also wash their hands regularly as a precaution.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure you dry them thoroughly. You can also use hand sanitiser.

If you have a carer, they should use disposable tissues to wipe away any mucus or phlegm after you have sneezed or coughed. The cleaner should then clean their hands.

Home and family

While you stay home, try to separate yourself from the people you live with

As much as possible, you should limit your contact with people other than the people you are self-isolating with. You shouldn’t have visitors to your home, but it is okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food.

If you are in a home where the others who live with you aren’t self-isolating, you should minimise close contact with them by avoiding situations where you have face-to-face contact closer than 2 metres for more than 15 minutes.

Use your own toothbrushes, eating and drinking utensils (including cups and glasses in the bathroom and bedroom), toilet paper, dishes, towels, washcloths or bed linen. Do not share food and drinks or prepare food for others. Wash your clothing and dishes separate to others in your home.

It is fine to do gardening if you aren’t in close contact with other members of your household.

Use of shared spaces if you live with others

You should not share a bed or a room with others during your 14-day isolation period. This includes sleeping in common areas.

Minimise the time you spend in shared spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens and sitting rooms as much as possible and keep shared spaces well ventilated. Clean surfaces like kitchen benches and sink tops after you use them and try to avoid touching them after you have cleaned them.

Make sure you use separate towels from other people in your house, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for drying your hands. Ask your family or the people you live with to remember to use their own towels.

If you use a shared toilet and bathroom, it’s important that you clean them every time you use them (for example, wiping surfaces you have come into contact with). You may wish to be the last to use the shower/bath in the morning or evening to make this easier on those you live with. You should use your own toilet paper, hand towels, toothpaste and other supplies during your self-isolation.

If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while others are present. Take your meals back to your room to eat. It may be easier for someone else in your household to prepare your food so you can avoid the kitchen area. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry your used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly, remembering to use a separate tea towel.

We understand that it will be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others at home. You should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face and clean frequently touched surfaces.

Visitors in your home

Don’t invite or allow social visitors, such as friends and family, to enter your home. If you want to speak to someone who is not a member of your household, use the phone or other means of contact.

Laundry

Do not shake dirty laundry, as this can disperse the virus through the air.

Wash items according to manufacturer’s instructions. It’s ok to wash your dirty laundry with the rest of your household if you do the washing yourself, but you should only fold and put away your own items. It may be easier for someone else to fold and put away clean shared laundry items (such as towels and tea towels) and provide a supply for you.

If you do not have a washing machine, wait until 72 hours after your 14-day isolation period has ended before taking your laundry to a laundrette.

Living with children

You should try to reduce your contact with your children if they don’t need to self-isolate with you, but that may not be possible, particularly with young children.

Try to explain what is happening in a way that is easy to understand. Tell them you are staying at home to protect other people. Try to avoid worrying them. Remind them that you are being very safe to protect them and other New Zealanders.

So far, children with COVID-19 appear to be less severely affected. It is nevertheless important to do your best to follow this guidance.

If a child develops symptoms, you should contact Healthline.

Breastfeeding

There is currently no clinical evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can be transmitted through breast milk. Infection can be spread to the baby in the same way as anyone else in close contact with you. The benefits of breastfeeding usually outweigh any potential risks of transmission of the virus through breast milk or by being in close contact with your child, however, this is an individual decision and can be discussed with your midwife, health advisor or GP by telephone.

If you wish to breastfeed, take precautions to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 to the baby by:

washing your hands before touching the baby, breast pump or bottles

avoiding coughing or sneezing on the baby while feeding at the breast

cleaning any breast pump as recommended by the manufacturer after each use

considering asking someone who is well to feed your expressed breast milk to the baby.

If you are feeding with formula or expressed milk, sterilise the equipment carefully before each use. You should not share bottles or a breast pump with someone else.

You can find more information at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website.

If you live with an older or vulnerable person

Evidence from other countries suggests that older people and vulnerable people (those who are immune-compromised or have pre-existing conditions like heart conditions and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) are more at risk from COVID-19.

If you live with an older or vulnerable person who doesn’t need to self-isolate, they can continue their normal activities. You should reduce your close contact with them, however we understand that may be difficult.

If the person develops symptoms, you should contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

Using short-term accommodation

If you want or need to use short-term accommodation (such as a hotel, motel or vacation rental), you should let the proprietor know in advance that you need to self-isolate. Owners and operators must make their own decisions about whether they will allow you to use their accommodation, in compliance with regulations regarding their industry such as the Residential Tenancies Act 1986.

If you own or operate rental accommodation and have been in contact with someone who needs to self-isolate, you should consider the implications. The majority of people who need to self-isolate will be healthy. If they self-isolate properly and cleaners follow appropriate guidelines, there should be no risk to you or your future customers.

Mental health and wellbeing

Your emotional and mental health is important. It is normal to feel stressed or lonely when self-isolating, but there are some things you can do to feel better. See our advice for wellbeing.

Reach out to your usual supports, like family and friends, and talk about how you feel. We also recommend sticking to a routine such as having regular mealtimes, bedtimes and exercising.

If you feel you are not coping, it is important to talk with a health professional. For support with grief, anxiety, distress or mental wellbeing, you can call or text 1737 – free, anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – to talk with a trained counsellor.

Concerns about self-isolation for close contacts

It's important to be understanding, kind and well-informed in stressful times.

People who are self-isolating can:

drive a private vehicle

reside in a fully self-contained campervan

go for a walk, run or bike-ride in an area away from crowds.

People in your community are doing what they can to keep you safe.