Practise physical distancing as much as possible anytime you’re outdoors or in the community. This is important to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Tips for Physical Distancing:
Keep a minimum two-metre (six-foot) distance between yourself and others. That’s roughly the length of a hockey stick.
When out in the community, practise physical distancing every step of the way!
With more businesses and services reopening, the Health Unit is now instructing the use of non-medical masks or face coverings inside all public places. Click here for more specifics on this instruction.
Get outside to exercise and be active, but try to maintain a physical distance of at last 2 metres (6-feet) from others. This is especially true as more parks and outdoor recreational amenities reopen.
Greet people with a wave, bow or nod, instead of handshake or hug. After being outside, wash your hands with soap and water.
During the province-wide COVID-19 shutdown, do not gather with a group for a celebration or event. Instead, try to connect with family or friends by phone or online.
Work from home if possible. Talk to your supervisor, manager, or employer about options. Cancel in-person business meetings. Instead, look at teleconferencing or video chat options.
If you are sick, avoid visits to care facilities like long-term care homes, retirement homes, supportive housing, and hospices. Stay home and use Ontario’s online COVID-19 Screening Tool to see what additional care you may need.
Sanitize/wash your hands when entering or exiting building. Avoid long lineups. Use tap to pay instead of handling money.
If you must use public transit, wash hands often, keep a two-metre distance between other passengers, wear a non-medical mask and aim to travel in non-peak hours.
Remember: While you may not feel sick, and while these measures may seem inconvenient, they are important to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
While get-togethers with family and friends for special holidays or celebrations are not unusual, you are being asked to put these festivities on hold during the provincial State of Emergency. No matter where you live in Ontario, you must:
Avoid all unnecessary travel in and outside Ontario.
Avoid gatherings for holidays or special celebrations.
Only celebrate in-person with those in your immediate household. If you live alone, you can celebrate with one other household.
Celebrate virtually or connect by phone with other family and friends. Do not attend/organize big parties, large family dinners and similar-style festivities. These are not allowed under the province-wide COVID-19 shutdown.
General Tips for Holidays, Celebrations and Family Gatherings
Do NOT visit visit loved ones whom you do not live. Instead, connect virtually with family and friends. Pick up the phone or chat via social media and/or video-conferencing. Consider using these platforms to hold a virtual holiday party/celebration. If technology is not your thing, send a card or write a letter to a loved one.
Look after your mental health and that of your loved ones, especially people who may be alone and feel cut off from others.
Avoid the “3 C’s” – closed spaces, crowded places and close faces.
Practise physical distancing as much as possible. Keep a 2 metre (6-foot) distance from anyone who is outside your household.
Wear a mask or face covering inside public places. Ensure face coverings are tightly fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin (scarves and bandanas are insufficient). NEW: Wearing a mask or face covering is now recommended outdoors when you can’t physically distance more than two metres from others outside your household.
Shop online, by telephone or use curbside pickup/delivery. Support local businesses as much as possible. Please note that many businesses will be operating differently (or temporarily closed) due to Ontario’s State of Emergency.
To contain the spread of COVID-19, the following declarations, orders and closures from different levels of government are now in place. Please read on for further details.
The Ontario government is now recommending that masks or face coverings be worn outside when 2-metres physical distancing is not possible.
During the provincial state of emergency, Ontario’s colour-coded COVID-19 Response Framework will be paused. The entire HKPR District Health Unit region (which includes Northumberland County, Haliburton County and the City of Kawartha Lakes) is covered by this shutdown. Maximum public health measures, widespread closures and revised ways of doing business will now be in effect. People are also encouraged to stay home as much as possible during the shutdown.
Teacher-led online learning will continue for both elementary and secondary school students in southern Ontario for the time-being. By Jan. 20, Ontario’s Chief Public Health Officer will advise when in-person learning can resume for students in most parts of southern Ontario, including Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes. .
The Province has created a COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Taskforce to plan logistics for mass vaccination across Ontario when COVID-19 vaccines are available.
The Ontario government is mandating the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities and workplaces, with limited exemptions, including corrections and developmental services. Masks must also now be worn throughout religious services at places of worship.
As of midnight on Jan. 7, 2021, the federal government is also requiring that anyone five years of age and older (regardless of citizenship) flying into Canada MUST provide proof of a negative laboratory test result for COVID-19 to the airline prior to boarding a flight. The test must be conducted within 72 hours of the traveler’s scheduled departure to Canada. Click here for full details.
NOTE: As of midnight on Jan. 7, the federal government is requiring that anyone five years of age and older (regardless of citizenship) flying into Canada MUST provide proof of a negative laboratory test result for COVID-19 to the airline prior to boarding a flight. The test must be conducted within 72 hours of the traveller’s scheduled departure to Canada. Click here for full details.
All non-essential travel within and outside Canada is NOT recommended at this time.
If you have travelled abroad and are returning to Canada, you MUST immediately isolate or quarantine and stay home for 14 days. This time-period is when you’re still at risk of developing COVID-19 symptoms and infecting others. The mandatory isolation/quarantine measure was put in place by Canadian government through an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act.
These measures apply to all travelers arriving in Canada and are aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. The only exceptions are essential workers, including those who ensure the continue flow of goods and essential services across the border.
Violating any instructions provided to you when you entered Canada could lead to up to 6 months in prison and/or $750,000 in fines.
Federal government staff will screen you upon your arrival in Canada and let you know if you need to quarantine or isolate.
Follow any additional directions provided you by public health staff. After your mandatory quarantine/isolation period ends, continue following important public health measures like: staying home if sick, practising physical distancing, wearing masks or face coverings, and frequently washing hands with soap and water.
Travelling in Canada
Travelling Between Provinces
During the pandemic, some parts of Canada have placed limits on travel between provinces. This includes the requirement that some people arriving must self-isolate for 14 days. If you are planning an out-of-province trip, check first with the destination you are headed to see if any travel restrictions are in place that could affect your trip.
Wearing face coverings is an important way to reduce the risk of COVID-19. That’s why it’s important to know when and how to properly wear a mask.
Please Note: The Health Unit is directing that non-medical masks or face coverings MUST be used within indoor public spaces in City of Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County and Haliburton County. For complete details, click here.
Additional Note: The Ontario government is now also mandating the use of face coverings in all public indoor settings across the province, such as businesses, facilities and workplaces, with limited exemptions, including corrections and developmental services.
Medical masks(like surgical and N-95):
close up White protective hygenic mask isolated backgrounds for doctors and patient from virus biological infection and PM2.5 dust, pandemic news
These must be kept for health care providers and for those providing direct care for someone with COVID-19.
If you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and need to seek medical care, wear a mask. Your health provider may also recommend you wear a mask while you’re seeking or waiting for care. The mask acts as a barrier and helps stop the tiny droplets from spreading around you when you cough or sneeze.
Masks MUST be put on, taken off and thrown out properly. If you need to wear a mask, be sure to clean your hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. When wearing a mask, follow this Public Health Ontario fact sheet on how to properly wear and throw away one.
Homemade (Cloth) Masks:
The Health Unit is directing that cloth masks/face coverings be used inside public places in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes. For specific details, including exemptions, click here. The Ontario government is now also mandating that masks have to be worn in most public places across the province.
When worn properly, non-medical masks can help to cover your mouth and nose to prevent your respiratory droplets from contaminating other people or landing on common surfaces. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) advises that putting on a homemade mask can help protect others around you if you’re ill with COVID-19 and do not yet know it. PHAC is also recommending that masks or face coverings should be made of at least three layers, including:
Two layers made of tightly woven material fabric, such as cotton or linen
The third (middle) layer made of a filter-type fabric, such as non-woven polypropylene fabric.
NOTE: People shouldn’t throw away their two-layer non-medical masks. If making or buying more masks, consider the three-layer mask for improved protection.
Wearing a face mask in public places, together with washing your hands with soap and water, staying home and maintaining physical distancing, are all important to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Homemade masks or facial coverings should not be worn/put on by:
Children under age 2 years, or a child under the age of five years either chronologically or developmentally
A person who is unable to remove a mask without assistance
Anyone who cannot safely wear a non-medical mask or face covering due to medical reasons such as, but not limited to, respiratory disease, cognitive difficulties or difficulties in hearing or processing information
Someone who cannot wear a non-medical mask or face covering for any religious reason.
How to Properly Use a Homemade Mask/Face Covering:
Wash your hands immediately before putting it on and immediately after taking it off (use good hand hygiene while wearing it too)
Masks should fit snugly, but comfortably against your face (non-gaping) allowing you to breathe without restriction. Masks should be secured with ties or ear loops and have multiple fabric layers
Do not share cloth masks with others
Remember not to touch or rub your eyes while wearing it
Avoid moving, adjusting or touching your mask while using it, as it could become contaminated on the outside.
Change face coverings if they get slightly wet or dirty
Wash the cloth mask after each use as it can get damp or dirty:
Put it directly into the washing machine or a bag that can be emptied into the washing machine and then disposed of
Cloth masks can be laundered with other items using a hot cycle, and then dried thoroughly.
Wash your hands with soap and water after putting the mask into the laundry.
Homemade masks that cannot be washed should be thrown out in a properly lined garbage bin as soon as they get damp, dirty or crumpled. Do not throw used masks on the ground or in a shopping cart. Immediately after wash your hands with soap and water.
It’s important to take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. That’s why it’s essential to watch for symptoms.
Here’s how to self-monitor if you are asked by your health care provider or public health unit to watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
Monitor for symptoms for 14 days after exposure for fever, cough or difficulty breathing
Avoid Public Spaces
Avoid crowded public spaces and places where you cannot easily separate yourself from others if you become ill.
If you are unable to maintain a two metre distance, wear a non-medical mask or face covering to protect others from your potentially infectious droplets
What to do if you develop these or any other symptoms?
Soap, water and/or alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands
If you visit your health care provider, avoid using public transportation such as subways, taxis and shared rides. If you cannot avoid this, wear a mask and keep a two-metre distance from others or use the back seat if in a car.
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Frequently touched surfaces are most likely to be contaminated.
Use only disinfectants that have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). A DIN is an 8-digit number given by Health Canada that confirms it is approved for use in Canada.
Check the expiry date of products you use and always follow manufacturer’s instructions.
In certain cases, you MUST isolate or quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This protects you and others from illness, especially those more at risk from COVID-19 such as seniors and people with chronic medical conditions.
Please Note: On December 12, 2020, the Acting local Medical Officer of Health issued the following updated Class Order under Section 22 (5.01.1) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. This order replaces an original order pertaining to self-isolating due to COVID-19.The updated Class Order is designed to protect the health of local residents by reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Haliburton County, Northumberland County and the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Public health staff will give you further direction on when and how long to isolate or quarantine, depending on your circumstances. In general, you must isolate:
If you are diagnosed with COVID-19.
If you have the signs and symptoms of COVID-19, have been tested and are awaiting the results.
If you believe you have COVID-19 symptoms (even mild ones).
You must quarantine if you are identified as a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, is awaiting test results or is believed to have symptoms.
Parents and caregivers of anyone under age 16 who tests positive for COVID-19, is awaiting test results or is believed to have symptoms may also need to isolate.
NOTE: The federal government also has mandatory quarantine and isolation orders in effect for travelers to and from Canada. Please click here for full details.
How Long to Isolate
You must remain in isolation or quarantine as directed by public health staff.
In general, you must isolate for:
10 days if diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19 illness and symptoms
20 days if you suffered more severe COVID-19 illness (e.g. requiring Intensive Care Unit level support) or are immune-compromised.
You must quarantine for:
14 days if you had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or strongly suspected of having the virus.
Please follow specific public health guidance for isolating and quarantining, or call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020 for further direction.
Contact Telehealth (1-866-797-0000) or your health care provider.
Anyone with whom you had close physical contact (e.g., in your household) in the two days before your symptoms started or after symptoms started should also isolate. If you have questions about this, call the local Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020.
You will be directed by the Health Unit or health care provider on how long you need to isolate or quarantine.
When you stop isolating or quarantining, you should continue with measures to prevent COVID-19, including physical distancing and properly wearing a mask or face covering.
If you are still unwell at the end of your isolation or quarantine period, contact Telehealth or your health care provider for further direction.
Isolating with NO COVID-19 Symptoms (Older Adults and people with existing medical conditions)
Stay at home. Do not go to work, school, or other public places
Limit visitors to essential care providers
Arrange to have someone pick up essentials like groceries or medication for you
Continue with frequent handwashing and avoid touching your face
If you are still unwell after this period, contact Telehealth or your health care provider for further direction. You can also call the Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 5020.
Additional Resources
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