Be COVID Ready

Get your household prepared 

There are simple, practical things you can do to prepare in case you, or someone in your household gets COVID-19 and you need to isolate at home. 

On this page

> Make a plan 

> Have your contacts ready

> Have household instructions ready

> Communicate

> Protect yourself and others against COVID-19

> Shopping checklist

> Being at home checklist 

Make a plan that includes

• Essential supplies on hand so you will not need to leave your home if you become ill
  • Avoid panic buying. Add a few extra items every time you shop
  • Remember to renew your prescription medications 
• Alternative arrangements in case you become ill or if you need to care for a sick family member. For example:
  • Have backup childcare in case you or your usual care provider become ill
  • If you care for dependents, have a backup caregiver in place
  • If you need to self-isolate away from your home have a back-up person to feed/exercise/ look after your animals
  • Talk to your employer about working from home if possible
• Click here for a printable checklist for getting your household ready if someone gets COVID-19.

Have your contacts ready

Healthcare

• Your doctor
• Your pharmacy
• Healthline

Your support network

• Family
• Friends
• Neighbours
• School
• Work

Have household instructions ready

Make a list of household instructions of things you usually do but cannot while isolating, such as:

• feeding pets
• paying bills
• watering the plants
• instructions on how to use things

Communicate

• Share your plan with your family, friends and neighbours.
• Share your plan with your family, friends and neighbours.
• Set up a buddy system to check in on each other by phone, email or text during times of need.

Protect yourself and others against COVID-19

• Get vaccinated
• Stay home if you are sick
• Get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms even if they are mild
• Keep track of where you have been
• Wear a face mask
• Maintain good hand hygiene
• Maintain physical distancing

Shopping checklist

Food

• dried pasta and rice
• pasta sauces
• canned soups, vegetables and beans
• pet food and supplies
• food, formula and drinks for babies and small children
• dried or long life milk
• baking supplies

Hygiene

• toilet paper
• feminine hygiene products
• nappies and wipes
• facial tissue
• soap, shampoo and conditioner
• alcohol-based hand sanitiser containing at least 60% alcohol

Health care

• regular medicines
• thermometer
• fever-reducing medications (e.g. paracetomol/ibuprofen)
• throat lozengers
• medical masks
• household rubber gloves
• tissues
• heat and cool packs

Cleaning

• paper towels
• plastic bin bags
• laundry detergent
• regular household cleaning products
• hard-surface disinfectant, or if not available, concentrated (5%) liquid bleach and a separate container for dilution

Be prepared for being at home checklist

• puzzles
• books
• magazines
• cards/games
• podcasts
• soothing music
• TV/Netflix
• colouring and other activities for children
• radio
• community and daily newspapers
• batteries
• outdoor activities for in your yard
• house projects to keep adults who are well busy
• colouring and other activities for children