Keep track of where you have been

What is happening with contact tracing

As Omicron is now widespread, we no longer contact trace individual cases. This means you do not need to maintain records for contact tracing purposes.

If you test positive for COVID-19, we recommend you tell the people you have been in contact with while infectious that you have COVID-19. This can include others you live with, your colleagues or workplace, friends, or school.

Even if your contacts do not have to isolate, they should still have the information so they can make decisions for themselves.

Contact tracing now focuses on high-risk locations. The Ministry of Health can then notify people in vulnerable communities who may have come in contact with you.

How contact tracing works

What you should do

It is still a good idea to:

• keep track of people you have been with
• record any high-risk locations you have visited, for example, hospitals or aged care facilities
• keep Bluetooth tracing turned on in the NZ COVID Tracer app.

If you test positive, you will be sent a link to an online form, where you can share:

• contact details of your contacts
• details of any high-risk locations you have visited
• Bluetooth data from the NZ COVID Tracer app.

This information can help stop the spread of the virus in high-risk locations and protect our vulnerable communities.

How to use the contact tracing form

High-risk locations

It is important to keep a record of any high-risk locations you visit — for example, a hospital or aged care facility, so if you or someone in your household tests positive, contact tracers can focus on reducing the spread in our most vulnerable communities and populations.

Keep the NZ COVID Tracer app

You can continue to use the NZ COVID Tracer app. We recommend you keep the NZ COVID Tracer app on your phone. We may bring back the contact tracing system if another variant of concern arrives in New Zealand.

You can also use the NZ COVID Tracer app to find key links to:

• request free RATs so you can test for COVID-19 at home if you are unwell
• record your RAT result
• book your booster dose
• find information if you test positive or are a Household Contact.

To access these links, select ‘Dashboard’, and open the ‘more info’ tab.

Turn on Bluetooth tracing

You should keep your Bluetooth tracing turned on. Notifications will still be sent out to people who have been near someone with COVID-19.

Bluetooth tracing allows you to receive an alert if you have been near another app user who tests positive for COVID-19. It is safe, private and anonymous.

NZ COVID Tracer app