This Version Posted: October 9, 2020
You MUST self-isolate in certain cases 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 April 14, 2020, the local Medical Officer of Health issued the following Class Order under Section 22 (5.01.1) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. This 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.
On this page
- When to Self-Isolate
- How to Self-Isolate
- What should I do if I develop symptoms?
- Self-Isolating with NO COVID-19 Symptoms (Older Adults and people with existing medical conditions)
- After 14 Days
- Additional Resources
When to Self-Isolate
- If you’ve travelled outside of Canada and have just returned
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms, or provide care to someone with symptoms
- If you do NOT have COVID-19 symptoms, but have been advised to self-isolate.
How to Self-Isolate
Stay home
Do not use public transportation, taxis or rideshares.
Do not go to work, school or other public places.
Avoid contact with others
No visitors unless essential (e.g. care providers)
Stay away from seniors and people with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, lung problems, immune deficiency).
As much as possible, stay in a separate room away from other people in your home and use a separate bathroom if you have one.
Make sure that shared rooms have good airflow (e.g. open windows).
If these steps are not possible, keep a distance of at least two metres (6 feet) from others at all times.
Keep your distance
If you are in a room with other people, keep a distance of at least two metres and wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
If you cannot wear a mask, people should wear a mask when they are in the same room as you.
Wash your hands
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Dry your hands with a paper towel, or with your own cloth towel that no one else will share.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hand.
Throw used tissues in a lined wastebasket, and wash your hands. Lining the wastebasket with a plastic bag makes waste disposal safer.
Clean your hands after emptying the wastebasket.
Wear a mask over your nose and mouth
Wear a mask if you must leave your house to see a health care provider or to get tested for COVID-19.
Wear a mask when you are within two metres of other people, or stay in a separate room.
If you do not have a mask, maintain two metres distance from people and cover your cough and sneezes
What should I do if I develop symptoms?
- Complete the COVID-19 Self-Assessment.
- 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 self-isolate. If you have questions about this, call the local Health Unit at 1-866-888-4577, ext. 2050.
- Isolate for 14 days beginning when your symptoms started.
- After 14 days, you can stop isolating if you:
- No longer have a fever and your symptoms have improved
- Did not develop any symptoms. You MUST continue with physical distancing measures.
- If you are still unwell at 14 days, contact Telehealth or your health care provider for further direction.
Self-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
- Practise physical distancing. Keep at least 2 metres (6 feet) from others
- Cover your cough and sneezes
- Wash your hands often
- Monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19
- If you develop symptoms, take the Ministry of Health’s Self-Assessment tool to determine if you need further care
- You can go outside for exercise and fresh air! Remember that if you are outside, do not gather in groups and always practise physical distancing.
- You’re encouraged to self-isolate for your own protection, but at a minimum you must continue to practise physical distancing.
After 14 Days
If you do not develop symptoms after 14 days OR If you no longer have a fever and your symptoms have improved:
- You can stop self-isolating, but for your protection, stay home except for essential trips (e.g. groceries and medication)
- You MUST practise physical distancing measures when in public
- Continue with frequent handwashing and avoid touching your face
If you are still unwell at 14 days, 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
Watch our video on YouTube
This information is from the Public Health Ontario fact sheet “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) How to self-isolate”
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