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

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:

  • 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 have 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 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:

  • Previously tested positive for COVID-19 (including a Rapid Antigen Test) in the last 90 days
  • 18 years or older and boosted
    • Boosted means received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose 3 months or more after a primary vaccine series. For most people, the booster dose is their 3rd dose.
  • 17 years or younger and are fully vaccinated

If required to self-isolate:

  • Self-isolation means that you must stay home – for information on how to safely self-isolate, please refer to Public Health Ontario’s website on How to Self-isolate. 
  • You can end your self-isolation as long as you do not have any COVID-19 symptoms. If any additional members of your household develop COVID-19 (symptoms or positive test), you should extend your self-isolation until they have finished their self-isolation.
  • When your self-isolation is complete, you can return to work and other activities as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

All household members:

  • For 10 days after your last exposure to the person with COVID-19 you must:
    • Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19; If you develop symptoms, you must self-isolate – refer to our symptoms pagefor further direction
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in public places. Avoid activities that require mask removal (e.g. dining out, playing a wind instrument, high contact sports where masks cannot be safely worn)
    • NOT visit or attend work at high-risk settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care homes, or congregate living settings)
    • NOT visit individuals who may be at higher risk for illness(e.g., older adults, those that have a weak immune system)

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.

  • For 10 days after your last exposure to the person with COVID-19 you must:
    • Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19; if you develop symptoms, you must self-isolate – refer to our symptoms pagefor further direction.
    • Wear a well-fitted mask in public places. Avoid activities that require mask removal (e.g.  dining out, playing a wind instrument, high contact sports where masks cannot be safely worn)
    • NOT visit or attend work at high-risk settings (e.g., hospitals, long-term care homes, or congregate living settings)
    • NOT visit individuals who may be at higher risk for illness(e.g., older adults, those that have a weak immune system)

 

 

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.