The last two summer holiday periods have been overshadowed by the risk of sudden border closures or requirements to stay at home if you catch Covid-19. But how to protect others if you contract Covid-19 is now, by and large, a personal responsibility.
With a fourth wave under way, the risk of catching the virus over the summer holiday period is high for many, so Guardian Australia has asked the experts for advice on what steps to take to protect your loved ones.
I’ve tested positive for Covid-19, can I still spend Christmas with my family?
It is no longer mandatory to isolate if you contract Covid-19, but the public health recommendation is that you still do so. Especially in the first five days of infection, said Prof Alex Martiniuk, an expert in epidemiology at the University of Sydney.
“Even if your symptoms are mild, you still have a high risk of infecting others,” Martiniuk said.
Asked if she thinks it would be safe to take precautions such as socialising outside, standing at a distance from people and wearing a mask, Martiniuk said you should still stay at home if you test positive.
“Staying away and catching up later is what I’d recommend,” she said. “No one wants to accidentally spread the virus and impact someone else’s holiday.”
Someone I live with has contracted Covid-19 but I’m returning a negative test. Can I still spend Christmas with my family?
Prof Sharon Lewin, an infectious diseases expert at the Doherty Institute, told Guardian Australia’s daily news podcast Full Story that close contacts are no longer required to isolate, but it’s still recommended you do.
At the very least, Lewin said close contacts should have a heightened awareness of their recent exposure and exercise caution.
For example, if your dad tests positive for Covid-19 but your mum hasn’t and she wants to drop a present over to your house, Lewin advises asking your mum to take a RAT test.
“If it’s negative, it’s fine for her to visit,” Lewin said.
Martiniuk also advises socialising outside rather than indoors, and to stay at a distance from people who are older or vulnerable.
I have Covid-19 symptoms but I’m returning a negative test, should I stay still at home?
Martiniuk strongly recommends staying at home if you are experiencing cold symptoms, a headache or a fever.
“Even if it isn’t Covid, it could be another infectious disease that nobody wants,” she said.
If you do attend a social event, Martiniuk advises socialising outdoors, wearing an N95 mask and doing your best to keep your germs to yourself.
“Don’t share drinks or sip an excellent-tasting cocktail if you’re offered, don’t nibble on a brownie and pass it to someone else, and don’t do midnight snogs on New Year’s Eve,” she said.
If there are people at the social event who are vulnerable health-wise, Lewin recommends staying at home even if the test is negative.
Should I ask everyone to do a RAT rest before they come over for Christmas?
It depends on the circumstances, said Lewin.
“If there’s someone there that’s particularly vulnerable or particularly anxious around Covid-19, it might be appropriate to ask people to do a RAT test before coming,” she said.
But Lewin said given immunity is much higher than in the past due to vaccines and people having already contracted the virus, asking people to take a RAT test doesn’t need to be standard practice.
How can we best protect vulnerable family members?
Even if nobody has Covid, Lewin advises taking practical steps already mentioned such as socialising outdoors, asking people to take a RAT test before you meet, and wearing a mask unless you’re eating.
It’s also recommended that people who are vulnerable have an antiviral plan worked out with their GP ahead of the holiday period, Lewin said. This would include people who are over the age of 70, people who are above age 60 and have co-morbidities, and people who are immunocompromised.
In order for antivirals to be successful in limiting the severity of the symptoms once someone catches Covid-19, Lewin said they should be taken as soon as the person tests positive or in the first five days of contracting the virus.
