Last updated: May 6, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.
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:
For directions on what to do if you are a close contact or have been exposed to COVID-19, take this self-assessment or visit the Provincial website.
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 are a close contact who lives, works or attends a high-risk setting (e.g. hospital, long-term care, or other congregate setting), you may need to self-isolate. If you develop symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and get tested. You can return to work after 10 days, or earlier in some circumstances. Speak to your employer and follow workplace guidelines for return to work criteria.
If you are a household member of someone with COVID-19, you are considered a close contact and you may need to self-isolate.
You must self-isolate for as long as your household member with COVID-19, unless you have no symptoms of COVID-19 AND one of the following apply:
If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 who lives outside your household, you do not need to self-isolate unless you develop symptoms of COVID-19.
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 administer it to yourself. Visit our Testing page for details about what to do after completing a RAT or PCR test.
Even if not required to self-isolate, all close contacts should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. For information about what symptoms to look for visit our COVID-19 Symptoms page. Learn more on when to seek medical attention.
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.
Tell your employer that you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are not self-isolating, follow all instructions from your workplace.
If you have not developed symptoms by the end of your self-isolation/self-monitoring period, you can return to everyday activities without restrictions. 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 especially indoors (e.g. crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation). 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 your self-isolation period or when you can return to work, call the COVID-19 Hotline 416-338-7600.