COVID-19: What to Do if You Are a Close Contact

Last updated: November 18, 2022

To reduce the spread of all respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and the flu, anyone with new symptom(s) of any respiratory virus should stay home. Continue to follow public health measures and stay up-to-date with your vaccinations including a COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine for the best protection against getting very sick.

The Ministry of Health has shifted the focus of case and contact management to residents who are most vulnerable, including those associated with high-risk settings (e.g. hospitals, long term care). You are considered a close contact of COVID-19 if any of the following apply:

  • You live with, or are a close contact of, someone who has tested positive on a PCR, Rapid Molecular, or Rapid Antigen test
  • You live with, or are a close contact of, someone who has been told by Toronto Public Health that they are a “probable case” of COVID-19
  • You live with, or are a close contact of, someone who is not eligible for testing but likely has COVID-19 based on their symptoms

For directions on what to do if you are a close contact or have been exposed to COVID-19, take the Ontario Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment.

Are you a parent or caregiver of a child who may be a close contact of someone with COVID-19? Refer to If your Child is a Close Contact of a person with COVID-19 for more information.

If you have been told that you are a close contact, you do not need to self-isolate (stay home), unless you develop symptoms. For a total of 10 days from the last day you saw the person with COVID-19 you should:

  • Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If you develop any symptoms, you should immediately self-isolate (stay at home) and seek testing and treatment, if eligible. Learn more on when to seek medical attention.
  • Wear a well-fitted, high quality mask when in all public settings including schools and child care settings
  • Avoid non-essential visits to vulnerable individuals (e.g. seniors) and highest risk settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care).

If you are a close contact who lives in a high-risk setting (e.g. long-term care, or other congregate setting), you may need to self-isolate. 

If you are a close contact who works/volunteers/attends a high-risk setting, and do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, you can continue to work while self-monitoring for symptoms for 10 days from your last exposure to the person with COVID-19. Speak to your employer and follow any additional workplace measures.

To find out if you are eligible for publicly-funded COVID-19 testing, visit the provincial website.

If you have a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at home, you can take it yourself. Visit our Testing page for details about what to do after completing a RAT or PCR test.

The Provincial government is distributing RAT kits for use at home. Learn more here.

 

If you are a contact of someone who has COVID-19 and you cannot safely self-isolate in your own home, you may be eligible to stay at the Toronto Voluntary Isolation Centre.

After your self-monitoring period, Toronto Public Health strongly recommends that you continue to practice prevention measures. These include hand washing and physical distancing, where possible.  Toronto Public Health also strongly recommends wearing a well-fitted, high quality mask when in all indoor public settings including schools and child care settings. Masks are especially recommended for people at higher risk of getting seriously sick from COVID-19. Masks are still required in some settings.

If you have questions about self-monitoring and how to stop the spread of COVID-19, call Toronto Public Health Hotline at 416-338-7600.