According to the General Directorate of Health (DGS), new rules also reduce to seven days the isolation of high-risk contacts, but change the definitions of these contacts, however these changes will only come into force on Monday, 10 January.

Now cohabitants of confirmed case are considered to be high-risk contacts, unless they have a complete vaccination with a booster dose. As are those who live or work in homes or other responses dedicated to elderly people, therapeutic and social inclusion communities, as well as in temporary shelters, emergency accommodation and in the long-term care network.

The DGS defined that asymptomatic people and those with mild symptoms can self-monitor and do not need to be tested on the seventh day to get out of isolation.

The DGS indicates that asymptomatic people with a positive result should self-isolate, "interrupting self-isolation for laboratory testing, when indicated", and may undergo rapid professional use antigen tests (TRAg) or molecular tests (TAAN).

After the test (24 to 48 hours), they will receive a message, which will provide them with the support form for the epidemiological inquiry, information regarding the declaration of isolation and the leaflet with recommendations and measures to be observed.

The standard defines that asymptomatic individuals can also take a self-test, "if it is not possible to carry out a TRAg or TAAN within 24 hours" and, in that case, they must contact the SNS24, through which they receive the request to carry out a TAAN or TRAg (confirmatory), information regarding the isolation declaration and the booklet with recommendations and measures to be observed.

The standard also says that people with infection confirmed by SARS-CoV-2 who are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis are indicated for self-care and isolation at home and, if they develop symptoms, they must contact SNS24.