Definition of 'close contact'

[Tonkerbea]

Do Track and Trace take into account if the time spent with the person who tests positive is inside or outside? Or is it just proximity and duration that is considered? I'm trying to balance living life Vs the likelihood of getting a call asking to isolate for ten days!

It’s supposed to be at least 15mins within 2m of the person.
On the app it works with Bluetooth. This is not legal, no one else knows you’ve been pinged. If they call it’s because you’ve been named by someone you have been with.

I don’t think it matters whether indoors or outdoors.

Inside / outside is not part of their criteria to decide.

Warning - they err on the side of caution if you’re undecided.

Thanks both, that makes sense

@Lemons1571

Inside / outside is not part of their criteria to decide.

Warning - they err on the side of caution if you’re undecided.

I misguidedly thought being outside was less risky in terms of contact 🤦🏽‍♀️. Thanks for clarifying!

My friend was told by T&T that as she was outside she wasn’t considered a contact when she went for a walk with someone who tested positive, this has also happened with my husbands football team so they do take it into account

Being outside is definitely massively less risky. But the bluetooth on your phone doesn't know you're outside.

Could I ask if there's an element of discussion when T&T call? For example, you have the opportunity to say that you stayed 2 metres away outside so that they can conclude you don't need to isolate as a potential close contact?

@nhy21

Could I ask if there's an element of discussion when T&T call? For example, you have the opportunity to say that you stayed 2 metres away outside so that they can conclude you don't need to isolate as a potential close contact?

Yes but why would you be discussing that at all if you don't think it was a close contact? They will contact you to ask for close contacts - you could tell them there were none.

@nhy21 sorry I read that wrong! I've heard from other people on here that that is not really an option. If someone puts you as a close contact then they just tell you you must isolate.

Seems a bit ridiculous as you may very well disagree.

Yes but why would you be discussing that at all if you don't think it was a close contact?
They will contact you to ask for close contacts - you could tell them there were none.

I think we're talking at cross purposes. I'm referring to a situation where someone has identified you as a possible close contact and T&T call you?

(I agree with there being different approaches if you're the positive covid person, some people list everyone they've seen, others make their own assessment).

Sorry, cross post. Yes, I was referring to whether there's any discussion allowed if T&T call. So if you know you kept 2 metres at all times from the person, or whatever.

It’s within 2m for more than 15 minutes. But the 15 meetings doesn’t have to be all at once, it can be shorter periods built up through the day.

Or having traveled together in a car also counts.

@Katie517

My friend was told by T&T that as she was outside she wasn’t considered a contact when she went for a walk with someone who tested positive, this has also happened with my husbands football team so they do take it into account

Oh this is interesting...I think conversing face to face might be worse than side by side