I arrived on the flight last Monday. I was informed on Tuesday that I sat near someone on the plane who tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do?
You are a close contact (aeroplane) and must start isolation immediately for a minimum of 5 days. The day of your last contact with the person with COVID-19 (i.e., on the flight on Monday) is Day 0.
The Public Health Unit at Niue Foou Hospital will talk with you about your isolation plan including your accommodation (how to physically distance from others where you are staying).
Niue Public Health will call you every day to check on your health and welfare. If you develop symptoms, you can call Niue Foou Hospital anytime for advice: +683 4100.
Niue Public Health will provide you with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) to take at home on Day 3 (Thursday).
If your RAT is positive, please inform Niue Public Health. You will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital and continue isolating.
If your RAT is negative, you still need to continue isolating. You do not need to do a Day 3 PCR.
On Day 5 of your isolation, you will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital, and then return to isolation to wait for your result.
If your Day 5 PCR test is negative and you do not have any symptoms, you will be informed by Niue Public Health that you can end your isolation.
If your PCR test is positive, you must continuing isolating. A public health official will advise you further on the duration of your isolation.
I arrived on the flight on Monday and my Day 1 test for COVID-19 was POSITIVE. What do I do?
You must start isolation immediately for a minimum of 7 full days.
The Public Health Unit at Niue Foou Hospital will talk with you about your isolation plan, including your accommodation and your welfare needs while you isolate.
Niue Public Health will call you every day to check on your health and welfare.
On Day 7 of your isolation a health official will consult with the Doctor on when your isolation can end.
- If you have not had any symptoms within the past 72 hours, your isolation can end after the 7th full day of isolation. The public health team will confirm this date with you.
- If you still have symptoms, you may need to continue isolating.
The maximum period that you would need to isolate for is 10 days.
My brother who is living with me arrived on the flight last Monday. I was informed on Tuesday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and that I am a close contact.
As you have been living in the same house as your brother, you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 and must start isolation immediately for a minimum of 7 days.
As you are living with your brother, the day of your last exposure is the day he tested positive (Tuesday) and is Day 0.
Niue Public Health will talk with you about your isolation plan, including your accommodation (how to physically distance from others in the house) and your welfare needs while you isolate.
Niue Public Health will call you every day to check on your health and welfare. If you develop symptoms, you can call Niue Foou Hospital anytime for advice: +683 4100.
Niue Public Health will provide you with rapid antigen tests (RATs) to do at home.
Do the RAT on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 of your isolation (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday).
If your RAT is positive, please inform Niue Public Health. You will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital and continue isolating.
If your RAT is negative, you still need to continue isolating.
On Day 7 of your isolation, you will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital, and then return to isolation to wait for your result.
If your Day 7 PCR test is negative and you do not have any symptoms, you will be informed by Niue Public Health that you can end your isolation.
If your PCR test is positive, you must continue isolating. A public health official will advise you further on the duration of your isolation.
I just found out that I was at the shop last week at the same time as someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Do I need to isolate or get tested?
You are a person of interest. The Public Health Unit at Niue Foou Hospital will let you know if you are a Person of Interest.
A person of interest is someone who was at the same location as another person who tested positive for COVID-19 while they were infectious (able to pass on the virus to other people).
You should monitor your health over the next 10 days.
During these 10 days:
• Please wear a mask that fits you well whenever you are in an indoor public place.
• Continue to sign in or scan using Rocksafe.
You do not need to isolate, but it is best that you avoid close contact with pregnant persons, elderly and those you know who have pre-existing medical conditions.
You may also choose to do a RAT but you will need to purchase your own.If you develop symptoms at any point during these 10 days, please go to the Drive-Thru at the hospital for a PCR test and isolate until you receive your result. If your PCR test is positive, continue to isolate and a Niue Public Health official will contact you and provide further advice.
My wife arrived on the flight last Monday. She tested positive on her day 3 test on Thursday. I am due to travel on the next flight on Monday. Can I still fly?
You are considered a close contact and must start isolation immediately for a minimum of 7 days.
Unfortunately, this means that you will not be able to travel on Monday’s flight and will need to change your plans.
The Public Health Unit at Niue Foou Hospital will talk with you about your isolation plan, including your accommodation (how to physically distance from others in the house) and your welfare needs while you isolate.
Niue Public Health will call you every day to check on your health and welfare. If you develop symptoms, you can call Niue Foou Hospital anytime for advice: +683 4100.
Niue Public Health will provide you with rapid antigen tests (RATs).
The day of your last exposure is the day your wife tested positive (Thursday) and is Day 0.
Do the RAT on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 of your isolation (Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday).
If your RAT is positive, please inform Niue Public Health. You will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital and continue isolating.
If your RAT is negative, you still need to continue isolating.
On Day 7 of your isolation (Thursday) you will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital, and then return to isolation to wait for your result.
If your Day 7 PCR test is negative and you do not have any symptoms, you will be informed by Niue Public Health that you can end your isolation.
If your PCR test is positive, continue to isolate and a Niue Public Health official will contact you and provide further advice.
My husband tested positive on our Day 1 test after we arrived for our holiday. We are due to go home to NZ next Monday. Can we still fly home?
Unfortunately, neither you or your husband will be able to travel on Monday’s flight.
You must change both your flights, extend your accommodation and discuss with your travel insurance.
Instructions for the Husband:
You must start isolation immediately for a minimum of 7 full days.
The Public Health Unit at Niue Foou Hospital will talk with you about your isolation plan, including your accommodation and your welfare needs while you isolate.
Niue Public Health will call you every day to check on your health and welfare.
On Day 7 of your isolation a health official will consult with the Doctor on when your isolation can end.
- If you have not had any symptoms within the past 72 hours, your isolation can end after the 7th full day of isolation. The public health team will confirm this date with you.
- If you still have symptoms, you may need to continue isolating.
The maximum period that you would need to isolate for is 10 days.
Instructions for the wife
As you have been living in the same house as your husband, you are considered a close contact and must start isolation immediately for a minimum of 7 days.
The Public Health Unit at Niue Foou Hospital will talk with you about your isolation plan, including your accommodation (how to physically distance from others in the house) and your welfare needs while you isolate.
Niue Public Health will call you every day to check on your health and welfare. If you develop symptoms, you can call Niue Foou Hospital anytime for advice: +683 4100.
Niue Public Health will provide you with rapid antigen tests (RATs) to do at home.
As you are living with your husband the day of your last exposure is the day he tested positive (Tuesday) and is Day 0.
Do the RAT on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 of your isolation (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday).
If your RAT is positive, please inform Niue Public Health. You will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital and continue isolating.
If your RAT is negative, you still need to continue isolating.
On Day 7 of your isolation, you will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital, and then return to isolation to wait for your result.
If your Day 7 PCR test is negative and you do not have any symptoms, you will be informed by Niue Public Health that you can end your isolation.
If your RAT test or PCR test is positive, you must continue isolating. A public health official will advise you further on the duration of your isolation.
My mum just found out today (Thursday) that she has COVID-19. Niue Public Health called me and informed me that I am a close contact. I don’t live with her, but we had breakfast together today (Thursday). How long do I have to isolate for and when do I need to get tested?
You must isolate for 7 days, do a rapid antigen test (RAT) at home on Day 1, Day 3 and Day 5, and a PCR test at the hospital on Day 7.
The Public Health Unit at Niue Foou Hospital will talk with you about your isolation plan, including your accommodation (how to physically distance from others in the house) and your welfare needs while you isolate.
Niue Public Health will call you every day to check on your health and welfare. If you develop symptoms, you can call Niue Foou Hospital anytime for advice: +683 4100.
Niue Public Health will provide you with rapid antigen tests (RATs).
As you last saw your mum on Thursday while she was infectious (able to pass on COVID-19 to others), Thursday is the day of your last exposure and is Day 0.
Do the RAT on Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 of your isolation (Friday, Sunday, and Tuesday).
If your RAT is positive, please inform Niue Public Health. You will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital and continue isolating.
If your RAT is negative, you still need to continue isolating.
On Day 7 of your isolation (Thursday) you will need to go to the PCR testing Drive-Thru at the hospital, and then return to isolation to wait for your result.
If your Day 7 PCR test is negative and you do not have any symptoms, you will be informed by Niue Public Health that you can end your isolation.
If your PCR test is positive, continue to isolate and a Niue Public Health official will contact you and provide further advice.
My mum tested positive for COVID-19 seven (7) days ago. Me and my brother were identified as Close Household Contacts. We had our Day 7 test today and my brother tested positive for COVID-19. Can I leave isolation because I’ve done seven (7) days?
Unfortunately, because there is a new case in your household and you have not yet had COVID-19, you must start another 7 days of isolation from the day your brother tested positive for COVID-19.
Your timeline is below. Day 7 of your first isolation period is now Day 0 of your second isolation period.
Your mum does not have to isolate any longer as she has just had COVID-19 and is very unlikely to catch it again so soon.
I was at the grocery store last week. I just found out the store is a location of interest and that I was at the store at the same time as someone who has now tested positive for COVID-19. I’ve developed a cough today. Do I need to get tested?
Yes, you are a person of interest and you have developed symptoms. As you may have been exposed to COVID-19 at the store, it is important to take a test for COVID-19.
Please put on a mask that fits you well and go to the Drive-Thru PCR testing station at the hospital for a test.
Tell the staff at the Drive-Thru which location of interest you were at and that you now have a cough.
After you have a test, isolate at home until you receive the results of your test.
If your result is positive, continue isolating and Niue Public Health will give you further advice. While waiting, make a list of the places you have visited and the people you have seen, and for how long, in the past two days.
If your test is negative, for the remaining 10 days after your visited the location of interest:
- Wear a mask that fits you well whenever you are in an indoor public place.
- Continue to sign in or scan using Rocksafe. This will help the team with your contact tracing if you develop COVID-19.
- If your cough continues, gets worse, or other symptoms develop, please see a health worker.
My neighbours are supposed to be isolating but I saw them walking on the beach without a mask. What can I do?
You should remain at a considerable distance from someone you know should be isolating.
People in isolation must avoid contact with other people at all times and wear a well-fitting mask when in indoor public settings.
It is important that those in isolation are still able to get fresh air and a short walk for their own well-being, but it must be done very carefully to avoid all possible contact with other people.
Walking in the open air when an area is likely to be empty is okay, but those in isolation must immediately place their mask on and return to their home if they encounter anyone during their walk.
I am self-isolating because I have COVID-19. Can I leave the house?
If you are in isolation, you must stay at home or in alternative accommodation. You must not visit any public places and you must not have any visitors in your home.
You can leave the house ONLY:
- For a short walk around your house to get some fresh air
- To get medical attention at Niue Foou Hospital
You must wear a well-fitting mask when leaving your house and you must avoid contact with other people at all times.
I was told that I was sitting near someone on the plane and therefore I am a close contact. But I had COVID-19 six weeks ago and a letter from my GP confirming it. Do I still have to isolate for 5 days?
If you can prove that you had COVID-19 within the last 3 months (90 days), you may be given an exemption from isolation requirements.
You are still considered a close contact and are advised to remain cautious, especially as people may get COVID-19 more than once.
- Wear a mask that fits you well in indoor public places for the next 5 days
- Avoid contact with pregnant persons, elderly or those with known medical conditions
- Continue to sign in/scan with Rocksafe.
If you develop symptoms, even if you recently had COVID-19, you may be required to do a test. If you develop symptoms, you can call Niue Foou Hospital anytime for advice: +683 4100.
I saw a person who arrived on yesterday’s flight working on a telecommunications cable. But I heard that he is a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Why isn’t he isolating?
This worker was provided a particular exemption from isolation by the Director-General of Social Services due to the critical nature of their job.
The work is time-sensitive and will negatively impact many people if it isn’t completed immediately.
Although exempt from isolation, the person would still be required to:
- Have had a negative pre-departure PCR test before they arrived
- Have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- Wear a mask at all times when working and in all public indoor spaces
- Do a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) every day before starting work, for seven days, and submit the results to results@gov.nu.
- Avoid any unnecessary contact with others in public or at home for seven (7) days
- Only permitted to leave the house for work and cannot go to any other venue
- And if symptoms develop, he/she is no longer able to work.
I arrived on the flight on Monday, was told I was a close contact on Tuesday and that I needed to get tested on day 3 post arrival as well as day 3 since I was put into isolation. What tests do I have to do? Do I need to do both?
If you are in isolation and are required to test, your health orders will advise whether you need to attend the Drive-Thru PCR Testing Station or do a RAT at home. Plane Close Contacts will be given a RAT by the Health Team to conduct your Day 3 test at your place of isolation. For a PCR test (either a day 5 test for plane close contacts or day 7 test for household close contacts), you must attend the Drive-Thru station at the hospital.
I saw a person who arrived on yesterday’s flight working on a telecommunications cable. But I heard that he is a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Why isn’t he isolating?
This worker was provided a particular exemption from isolation by the Director-General of Social Services due to the critical nature of their job.
The work is time-sensitive and will negatively impact many people if it isn’t completed immediately.
Although exempt from isolation, the person would still be required to:
- Have had a negative pre-departure PCR test before they arrived
- Have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
- Wear a mask at all times when working and in all public indoor spaces
- Do a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) every day before starting work, for seven days, and submit the results to results@gov.nu.
- Avoid any unnecessary contact with others in public or at home for seven (7) days
- Only permitted to leave the house for work and cannot go to any other venue
- And if symptoms develop, he/she is no longer able to work.
What are essential services?
Essential services are businesses or organisations that are critical to the everyday life, health, safety, security, or economic wellbeing of the residents of Niue, as well as the effective functioning of government.
Essential services must follow strict public health measures to keep employees and customers safe.
Some people who are Close Contacts and essential workers may be able to get an exemption to go to work. Call Niue Foou Hospital on 4100 to ask for an exemption.