Symptomatic individuals
• Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and get tested.
• All symptomatic individuals should use a well-fitted medical grade (surgical) or FFP2 face
mask.
o Children aged 9-12 years old should wear a well fitted mask as frequently as is
reasonably practical.
o A medical grade mask (surgical mask) is preferable, if it fits the child well; otherwise a
well-fitting cloth mask can be worn.
• The following individuals should seek an RT-PCR test
o those aged between 0-3 years old
o those aged 40 years and older
o all healthcare workers (HCW)
o those who are immunocompromised and those in risk groups should contact their GP
to arrange an RT-PCR test
• All other symptomatic individuals should perform three RADTs over three consecutive days.
The first test should be performed as soon as possible. The individual should complete 3
RADTs. If all three tests are negative, and if it is 48 hours since their symptoms have
substantially or fully resolved, they can exit self-isolation.
• Any individual with a positive RADT should regard it as confirmed COVID-19 and register it
with the HSE. A confirmatory PCR test is not required. This individual should now be managed
as a case as per section 5.0.
• If a child aged less than 3 months is symptomatic, contact your GP for advice.
• This guidance applies equally to healthcare workers, however in relation to derogation please
see here for further information.
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre. www.hpsc.ie Page 8 of 21
 Symptomatic close contacts
• Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and get tested.
• All symptomatic individuals should use a well-fitted medical grade (surgical) or FFP2 face
mask.
o Children aged 9-12 years old should wear a well fitted mask as frequently as is
reasonably practical. A medical grade mask (surgical mask) is preferable, if it fits the
child well; otherwise a well-fitting cloth mask can be worn.
• The following individuals should seek an RT-PCR test
o those aged between 0-3 years old
o those aged 40 years and older
o all healthcare workers (HCW)
o those who are immunocompromised and those in risk groups should contact their GP
to arrange an RT-PCR test
• Symptomatic close contacts (aged 4-39 years) should perform three RADTs over three
consecutive days. The first test should be performed as soon as possible. The close contact
should complete 3 RADTs. If all tests are negative, and if it is 48hrs since their symptoms have
substantially or fully resolved, they can exit self-isolation but should continue to follow the
advice as set out in section 7.0 (for asymptomatic close contacts).
• If a child aged less than 3 months is symptomatic, contact your GP for advice.
• This guidance applies equally to healthcare workers, however in relation to derogation please
see here for further information.

Asymptomatic household close contacts aged less than 13 years
For those who have had confirmed COVID-19 (either by Rapid Antigen Detection Test or RT-PCR)
infection since December 1st 2021, please see section 7.0.
For further public health protective measures see section 8.0.
• Asymptomatic household close contacts aged 0-12 years old should restrict their
movements for 7 full days. Restricted movements should begin from date of last contact with
positive case (if known) or if not, from date of notification as a contact.
• Children aged 9-12 years old should wear a well fitted mask as frequently as is reasonably
practical during the 10-day period. A medical grade (surgical) mask is preferable, if it fits the
child well; otherwise a well-fitting cloth mask can be worn.
• Asymptomatic household contacts who are aged 0-3 years are not required to undertake
testing unless they develop symptoms. If symptoms develop within this age group, an RTPCR test is required.
• Asymptomatic household close contacts aged 4-12 years old should take regular antigen
tests over 7 days, with the last test on day 7.
• Asymptomatic close contacts should perform three RADTs. The RADTs used should be those
recommended on the HSE website or received directly from the HSE.
• The first RADT should be performed as soon as possible, the second three days later and the
final test on the seventh day of restricted movements.

Household contacts are people living or sleeping in the same house, people in shared living spaces who share a
kitchen or bathroom
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre. www.hpsc.ie Page 12 of 21

Asymptomatic non-household contacts under 13
For those who have had confirmed COVID-19 (either by Rapid Antigen Detection Test or RT-PCR)
infection since December 1st 2021, please see section 7.0.
For further public health protective measures see section 8.0.
• Asymptomatic non-household close contacts aged 0-12 years old are NOT required to
restrict movements or undergo testing unless they develop symptoms. If symptoms develop,
please refer to section 6.0.
• Asymptomatic children who are school/childcare pod members of a case will continue to be
offered antigen testing through the existing HSE programme.
• Asymptomatic children aged 9-12 years old who are non-household contacts should wear a
well fitted mask as frequently as is reasonably practical. A medical grade (surgical) mask is
preferable, if it fits the child well; otherwise a well-fitting cloth mask can be worn.

Asymptomatic household close contacts of a case for whom it is not feasible to
self-isolate
NOTE: Those close contacts of any age who have recovered from COVID-19 following a positive PCR
or antigen test carried out since December 1 2021 are exempt from restriction of movements and
testing unless they become symptomatic. Please see section 7.0.
For further public health protective measures see section 8.0.
When a case cannot feasibly self-isolate, the following applies:
• Asymptomatic household contacts who have received their booster vaccine OR have
completed their primary vaccination course AND have had confirmed COVID-19 infection in
the previous 3 months
o do not need to restrict their movements
o should perform 3 antigen tests over the first 7 days (The first RADT should be
performed as soon as possible, the second three days later and the final test on the
seventh day of restricted movements) and repeat over the second 7 days
o are required to wear an FFP2 mask or medical grade (surgical) mask for 14 full days
o asymptomatic children aged 9-12 years who are household contacts should wear a
well fitted mask as frequently as is reasonably practical. A medical grade mask
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre. www.hpsc.ie Page 13 of 21
(surgical mask) is preferable, if it fits the child well; otherwise a well-fitting cloth mask
can be worn.
When a case cannot feasibly self-isolate, the following applies:
• Asymptomatic household close contacts who have not received their booster vaccine OR have
not had confirmed COVID-19 infection in the past 3 months should:
o restrict their movements for 14 full days
o perform antigen tests over the first 7 days(three of these RADTs should be performed.
The first RADT should be performed as soon as possible, the second three days later
and the final test on the seventh day of restricted movements) and repeat over the
second 7 days.
o these asymptomatic household close contacts are required to wear an FFP2 mask or
medical grade mask (surgical mask) for 14 full days
o asymptomatic children, who are household close contacts, and are aged 9-12 years
old should wear a well fitted mask as frequently as is reasonably practical during the
14-day period. A medical grade mask (surgical mask) is preferable, if it fits the child
well; otherwise a well-fitting cloth mask can be worn.

Full Report available https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/educationguidance/National%20Interim%20Guidance%20for%20contact%20tracing.pdf