It is important for the ongoing control of COVID-19 in NSW to follow NSW Health advice.

If you are directed to get tested for COVID-19 or self-isolate by NSW Health at any time, you must follow this advice.

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild, use a rapid antigen test immediately and self-isolate until you receive a negative test result. 

Learn more about symptoms and who should get tested.

On this page

  1. How NSW Health contact traces
  2. Interstate COVID-19 case locations
  3. Contact tracing and your privacy

How NSW Health contact traces

As the number of people with COVID-19 increases, NSW Health is focusing on contacting people at highest risk of catching/contracting COVID-19. You may not receive a text message or call from NSW Health after being exposed to a person with COVID-19.

If you are contacted by NSW Health or the Department of Education by text message or phone you must follow the advice provided. Read the NSW Health Self Isolation Guidelines.

If you are told by your family, friends, colleagues or workplace that you have been around a person who has COVID-19, but you have not been contacted directly by NSW Health or the Department of Education, follow the NSW Health advice for people exposed to a COVID-19 case. 

Everyone should continue to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms at all times. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, use a rapid antigen test immediately and self-isolate until you get a negative result. 

NSW Health alerts 

If you receive a text message from NSW Health, you must you follow the advice in that text message. 

Service NSW app alerts 

People who have been to a venue around the same time as a person with COVID-19 will receive a COVID-19 case alert from Service NSW. The alert provides general health advice to monitor for symptoms and get tested if symptoms appear.

People who have received a Service NSW COVID-19 case alert do not need to contact the business, or their family and friends about the alert.

Businesses that receive a Service NSW COVID-19 case alert should continue to follow their COVID-19 Safety Plan, undertake cleaning, inform staff and remind them to monitor for symptoms. Businesses do not need to contact customers, NSW Health or SafeWork NSW as a result of receiving a Service NSW case alert.

Read more about Service NSW app COVID-19 case alerts at Service NSW - COVID Safe Check-in.

Remember, everyone should continue to take steps to help protect themselves and their community:

  • If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild, get tested immediately and self-isolate, even if you’re fully vaccinated.
  • Continue to check in and out of venues using QR codes where available. If you can’t check in using a mobile phone, you can check in using the COVID-19 check-in card – apply for one through the Service NSW website.
  • Get vaccinated if you are aged 12 years and over.
  • Continue to practice COVID safe behaviours.

Stay COVID safe

Everyone should continue to take steps to help protect themselves and their community:

  • If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild, use a rapid antigen test immediately and self-isolate, even if you’re fully vaccinated. This is really important if you are, or if you live, work or spend time with vulnerable people. 
  • Use a rapid antigen test if you are:
    • A household, social, workplace or education contact of a positive case
    • Doing pre-event testing, before visiting vulnerable family members
    • A worker, resident, patient, or client in a high-risk setting where there is a current confirmed outbreak
    • Going into hospital for a procedure if this is requested by the hospital.
    • An international arrival (passengers and flight crew entering NSW from overseas)
  • Continue to check-in and out of all venues using QR codes where they are available. If you can’t check-in using a mobile phone, you can check-in using the COVID-19 check-in card available through Service NSW.
  • Get vaccinated if you are aged 12 years and over.
  • Continue to practice COVID safe behaviours.

Interstate COVID-19 case locations

For information about current entry requirements for NSW, refer to Interstate travel to and from NSW.

Check interstate case locations

Australian Capital Territory

If you are a resident of the ACT and you have been to a place of high concern specified in a COVID-19 concerns notice you are permitted to transit through NSW to return home.

To find out more about appropriate transport for ACT residents transiting through NSW, read the interstate traveller guidelines.

Contact tracing and your privacy

NSW Health collects information about COVID-19 cases and contacts through case interviews and contact tracing. This information is considered health information and is subject to the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW) (HRIP Act).

Find out more about how personal information related to COVID-19, collected through case interviews and contact tracing, is used and disclosed by NSW Health at COVID-19 contact tracing and your privacy.

Current as at: Saturday 8 January 2022
Contact page owner: Health Protection NSW