What to do if you are a close contact?

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A close contact is considered to be a person who has been in contact with a COVID-19 positive person for at least 15 minutes and closer than two meters. The contact time is calculated as a total during 24 hours (e.g. 5 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes during the afternoon, and 5 minutes in the evening makes a total of 15 minutes). A person who has COVID-19 is infectious for about 2 days prior to and up to 10 days after becoming symptomatic.

For instance, a close contact is a person who:

  • lives in the same household with a person who has COVID-19 (e.g. family members);
  • has been in physical contact with a person who has COVID-19 (e.g. shaking hands);
  • has been in direct contact with the bodily fluids of a person who has COVID-19 without using protective equipment (e.g. has been coughed on, used a patient's paper tissue with bare hands);
  • has been in the same room with a person who has COVID-19 (e.g. classroom, conference room, waiting room of a hospital, work room etc.), if the room does not have adequate ventilation and/or personal protective equipment was not used, and there is a risk of coming in contact with the virus.

Last updated: 27.11.2023 15:40

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After a close contact with a person who has COVID-19 it is recommended to monitor your health within five days. If symptoms occur, you should stay at home.

The same principle applies for all upper respiratory tract infections.

Last updated: 28.11.2023 11:08

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After a close contact with a person who has COVID-19 it is recommended to monitor your health within five days. If symptoms occur, you should stay at home.

The same principle applies for all upper respiratory tract infections.

Last updated: 28.11.2023 10:55

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More information about the coronavirus and restrictions related to it is available calling 1247 (from abroad +372 600 1247).