Do you know the rules about home isolation?
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NSW Health has published a guide on what to do and what not to do.
If you've been overseas, you need to isolate for 14 days from the day you returned.
If you have been in contact with a person with COVID-19 while they were ill, you need to be isolated for 14 days after you last saw that person.
This applies to everyone, even if you have no symptoms.
MONITOR SYMPTOMS
When in home isolation, you should monitor yourself for symptoms including:
- fever
- cough
- shortness of breath (difficulty breathing)
- other early symptoms to watch for are chills, body aches, sore throat, headache and runny nose, muscle pain, or diarrhoea.
If you or someone else in home isolation develops severe symptoms and it is a medical emergency (e.g. shortness of breath at rest or difficulty breathing) you should call Triple Zero (000).
Tell the ambulance staff that you are in home isolation for COVID-19. If the symptoms are less serious you should:
- Call your doctor or healthdirect on 1800 022 222 or jump online at healthdirect.gov.au When you call, tell them where you have travelled, or that you are a close contact of a person with COVID-19.
Or
- Visit your local Emergency Department. When you arrive, immediately tell staff where you have travelled, or that you are a close contact of a person with COVID-19.
When you have an appointment you should travel directly to the medical centre or emergency department and wear a surgical mask.
Make sure it covers your nose and mouth at all times.
Avoid touching your mask unnecessarily.
If you develop symptoms, you should wear a surgical mask while in the presence of other household members, even if they're also in home isolation.
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SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR HOME
If you're sharing your home with others, as much as possible, you should:
- remain separated from others
- wear a surgical mask when you are in the same room as another person
- use a separate bathroom, if available
- avoid shared or communal areas and wear a surgical mask when moving through these areas.
Make sure that you don't share a room with people who are at risk of severe disease, such as elderly people and those who have heart, lung or kidney conditions, and diabetes.
WASH YOUR HANDS
Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially:
- before entering an area used by other people
- after using the bathroom
- after coughing or sneezing
- before putting on and after removing face masks.
CAN I GO INTO THE GARDEN OR GO FOR A WALK?
You can go into your private garden or courtyard.
Wear a surgical mask if there is anyone there who is not also in home isolation.
If you live in an apartment you can go onto your private balcony if you have one.
You can go into common garden areas while wearing a surgical mask.
Please go quickly through any common areas on the way there.
You are also allowed to leave their house to go for a walk or exercise outdoors if you are well and you stay away from other people.
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