If you have been in the same place at the same time as someone with COVID-19, you may be a casual contact, or casual-plus contact.
You are not considered to be at high risk as you have not been identified as having been close enough to the infected person (within two metres) or for long enough. But you do need to:
The Ministry of Health’s Locations of Interest webpage gives advice for Casual and Casual-plus contacts, including when you need to go for a test. Public Health, your workplace or staff from the location you visited may also inform you.
If you are a:
Casual-plus contact: you are at slightly higher risk, so please:
Casual contact: the risk of getting COVID-19 is low, you do not need to get a test but you should still watch for symptoms and:
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Even if you are not tested or if your test result is negative, please watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days after you were last in the same space as the infected person.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to common illnesses such as a cold or influenza. You may have one or more of the following:
Some people may have less typical symptoms such as only: fever, diarrhoea, headache, muscle pain, nausea/vomiting, or confusion/irritability.
If you or your family become unwell, call your local doctor or free phone Healthline: 0800 358 5453, available 24 hours, 7 days a week, and interpreters are available.
Shortness of breath is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention. If you become severely unwell or have difficulty breathing, immediately call an ambulance on 111.
Last updated 3.9.2021