COVID Smart behaviours

For the latest, see ACT’s current restrictions.

COVID is in our community. You may have had it already or know others who have.

COVID Smart behaviours are the things you can do to help prevent spread and to reduce your chances of becoming severely unwell from COVID.

You can stay COVID Smart by:

  • staying up to date with your vaccinations
  • speaking to your healthcare team before you become unwell
  • washing and sanitising your hands regularly
  • physically distancing
  • wearing a mask in public indoor places
  • testing for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. Even if the test is negative, remain at home until you’re feeling better.

These behaviours are best for you, your family and your workplace. They also help to protect you from other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

For information and health advice on these illnesses, including staying well over winter, also visit the ACT Health website.

Stay up to date with your vaccinations

Vaccination remains the best protection from severe disease and hospitalisation if you get COVID or influenza (flu).

Vaccination helps protect the people in our community, particularly people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID or flu, including older people and those with underlying medical conditions.

COVID-19 vaccines have been updated to protect against new COVID-19 variants. A GP or treating health professional can provide COVID-19 booster advice based on your individual situation, including if you should get a booster and when.

Influenza (flu) vaccines are updated every year to protect against new influenza strains. Everyone aged 6 months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccination every year, particularly those at higher risk of severe illness.

You can get the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time.

Where to get vaccinated

To receive the best protection against serious illness from COVID-19, you should get all the recommended doses for your age or individual health needs. COVID vaccines are free.

You can make a booking for a COVID vaccination at a GP clinic or at a pharmacy. Use Health Direct’s Service Finder to locate a clinic near you.

For information on booster dose recommendations, visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website.

Influenza (flu) vaccines are available at a GP clinic, some pharmacies (for children aged 5 years and older) and ACT Government Early Childhood Immunisation Centres (for people aged 6 months to under 5 years).

Some workplaces also provide influenza vaccine programs for their staff.

The influenza vaccine is free for people at higher risk of severe illness. While some people are eligible for a government funded influenza vaccine, a consultation fee may be charged.

For information on where to get your flu vaccine, visit Where can I get vaccinated? | Health (act.gov.au)

Speak to your healthcare team before you become unwell

If you’re at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness or influenza illness, speak to your healthcare team before you become unwell. This includes your GP, pharmacist and any home care providers.

Ask your GP:

  • what kind of testing may be useful for you.
  • if you need a PCR pathology request form, and how you can get one.
  • if you are recommended to take COVID treatments, and how to access them early if you do have COVID-19.

COVID and influenza antiviral treatments need to be started as soon as possible after your symptoms start for the best results.

If you don’t have a regular GP or can’t get an appointment with them, use Find a Health Service to locate a GP clinic near you. This tool allows you to use search preferences to find a GP that’s right for you.

Keep a written copy of your important medical details, such as your medical conditions, the medications you are taking and recent blood test results showing how well your kidneys are working. This will help your doctor to quickly assess you any treatments.

Chat to your pharmacist about how you can get medications when you are unwell. Before you become unwell, know your pharmacy’s preferred way for you to get a supply of your regular, over the counter and antiviral medications (if required). This may be home delivery, contactless pick up or another option.

Talk to any home care providers about what will happen if you are unwell. Ask them who to inform if you are unwell and how you will continue to receive home care services.

Wear a mask

You are encouraged to wear a face mask when entering public indoor settings or where it is difficult to maintain physical distancing.

For more information, visit the face masks page.

Practise good hygiene

Good hygiene practices mean you should:

  • wash your hands with soap and water regularly for 20 to 30 seconds. This includes before touching food, eating, entering rooms or other peoples’ possessions and after using the toilet
  • use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water is not available
  • use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty and after using the toilet
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or cough into your elbow when you cough and sneeze
  • throw used tissues into a bin immediately and wash your hands.

Physically distance

Physical distancing means separating yourself from other people as much as possible (about 1.5 metres apart) when you’re in public places.

If you are unwell and trying to keep from spreading the illness to other members of your household, you could:

  • stay and sleep in a separate room where possible
  • use a separate bathroom if available, or clean surfaces in a shared bathroom after each use
  • avoid spending time in the same room as other people in your house. Open a window or use air conditioning for good airflow in shared spaces
  • avoid sharing household items including dishes, cups, towels, and bedding. Clean cutlery, dishes, utensils or drinking glasses after use with detergent and hot water or in the dishwasher using a hot cycle
  • avoid common areas of the household. If this is unavoidable, wear a mask when in common areas and clean surfaces in the area with detergent and disinfectant after use.

Know what to do if you become unwell

You can’t tell if you have flu, COVID or another respiratory illness from your symptoms.

If you have symptoms stay at home and test for COVID-19.

Most Canberrans, including children supervised by an adult, can use a RAT to test for COVID-19.You can find out more about COVID testing on the ACT’s COVID-19 website.

Some home self-tests that can detect the presence of COVID-19 and influenza are available from retailers, such as some pharmacies. These tests are like other COVID-19 RATS but can also indicate that someone has influenza A or B.

If you’re at higher risk of severe illness follow your management plan, if you have one, contact your GP for a telehealth assessment early in your illness.

Testing

If you test positive for COVID-19 using a RAT, follow the health advice for people who test positive for COVID-19.

Even if you test negative for COVID and influenza, you should still stay at home and take steps to protect those around you. You should remain at home until your symptoms are gone and you’re feeling better.

Get health assistance

If you are at higher risk of severe disease, follow the plan you discussed with your healthcare team.

Seek health or medical support if you need it:

  • contact your GP or regular medical practitioner
  • drop into a Walk-in Centre where you can receive face-to-face assessment for COVID and non-COVID related medical concerns
  • call HealthDirect for advice on 1800 022 222, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • use Find a health service to find an after-hours GP clinic open near you
  • call Canberra Afterhours Locum Medical Service (CALMS) on 1300 422 567 from 6pm on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and existing clients can contact Winnunga Nimmityjah Health Service. Walk-in Centres.

If you have severe symptoms, such as breathing difficulty or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately.

Get the latest health advice

Make sure you get the latest information from reliable sources, including the ACT Health, ACT COVID-19 and Health Direct websites.

Health Direct’s advice line is also a handy service – call 1800 022 222. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There’s always someone you can speak to.

Check if your workplace or education institution have specific policies in place should you become unwell with COVID. Speak to your manager about your workplace requirements should you become unwell.

More information:

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.

Last Updated: December 20 2023