Topics Covered:

1. How Coronavirus spreads

2. Difference between quarantine (self-isolate) and isolate

3. Quarantine (self-isolate)

4. Isolate

5. Preventing Coronavirus

6. Physical (social) Distancing

7. Hygiene

8. Cleaning

9. Wearing Masks

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How coronavirus spreads

Human coronaviruses cause infections of the nose, throat and lungs. They are most commonly spread from an infected person through:

• respiratory droplets generated when you cough or sneeze

• close, prolonged personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands

• touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands

Current evidence suggests person-to-person spread is efficient when there is close contact.

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Difference between quarantine (self-isolate) and isolate

There is a difference between advice to quarantine (self-isolate) and advice to isolate. It is important to note these measures are in place to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

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Quarantine (self-isolate)

Quarantine for 14 days if you have no symptoms and any of the following apply:

• you are returning from travel outside of Canada (mandatory quarantine)

• you had close contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19

• you have been told by the public health authority that you may have been exposed and need to quarantine

Quarantine means that for 14 days you need to:

• stay at home and monitor yourself for symptoms, even if mild

• avoid contact with others to help prevent transmission of the virus at the earliest stage of illness

• practise physical (social) distancing in your home and community

If you develop symptoms, even if mild, stay home and isolate yourself from others. Immediately call a health care professional or your public health authority.

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Isolate

You must isolate if any of the following apply:

• you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting to hear the results of a lab test for COVID-19

• you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild

• you have been in contact with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19

• you have been told by public health that you may have been exposed to COVID-19

• you have returned from travel outside Canada with symptoms of COVID-19 (mandatory)

While you are isolating:

• monitor your symptoms as directed by your health care provider or public health authority

  • they will advise you when you are no longer at risk of spreading the virus to others

• immediately contact your health care provider or public health authority and follow their instructions if your symptoms get worse

 

Preventing coronavirus

Canadians should continue to think ahead about the actions that they can take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Canada. This includes staying at home as much as possible and being prepared in case you or a family member becomes ill. Everyone should be practising physical (social) distancing. Even if you do not have symptoms of COVID-19, you could become infected by others.

As we continue to see transmission of the virus within different communities, we know that everyone must take precautions, even those who have not travelled outside of Canada.

In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within communities and across the country, all Canadians are advised to:

• stay at home unless you have to go to work

  • talk to your employer about working at home if possible

• avoid all non-essential trips in your community

• do not gather in groups

• limit contact with people at higher risk, such as older adults and those in poor health

• go outside to exercise but stay close to home

• if you leave your home, always keep a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others

  • household contacts (people you live with) do not need to distance from each other unless they are sick or have travelled in the last 14 days

You can go for a walk if you:

• have not been diagnosed with COVID-19

• do not have symptoms of COVID-19

• have not travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days

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Physical (social) distancing

Together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. Physical (social) distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak.

This means making changes in your everyday routines to minimize close contact with others, including:

• avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings

• avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes

• limiting contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health

• keeping a distance of at least 2 arms-length (approximately 2 metres) from others

 

Hygiene

Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food

  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

• when coughing or sneezing:

  • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand

  • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards

• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

 

Cleaning

Coronaviruses are one of the easiest types of viruses to kill with the appropriate disinfectant product when used according to the label directions. Health Canada has published a list of hard surface disinfectants that are likely to be effective for use against COVID-19.

Although they do not claim to kill COVID-19, cleaners can play a role in limiting the transfer of microorganisms. Health Canada recommends cleaning high-touch surfaces often, using either regular household cleaners or diluted bleach. This bleach solution should be prepared according to the instructions on the label or in a ratio of 1 teaspoon (5 mL) per cup (250 mL). Directions are based on bleach that is 5% sodium hypochlorite, to give a 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution.

These surfaces include:

• toys

• toilets

• phones

• electronics

• door handles

• bedside tables

• television remotes

Refer to the guidance on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces for more information.

 

Wearing masks

Medical masks, including surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators (like N95 masks), must be kept for health care workers and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients.

 

Wearing a non-medical mask (for example a homemade cloth mask) in the community has not been proven to protect the person wearing it. Strict hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical (social) distancing, will reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus.

Wearing a non-medical mask is an additional measure you can take to protect others around you, even if you have no symptoms. It can be useful for short periods of time, when physical distancing is not possible in public settings such as when grocery shopping or using public transit.

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If wearing a non-medical mask makes you feel safer and stops you from touching your nose and mouth, that is also good. But remember not to touch or rub your eyes.

It is important to understand that non-medical masks have limitations and need to be used safely.

Non-medical masks or facial coverings should not be placed on:

• children under age 2

• anyone who has trouble breathing

• anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

If you choose to use a non-medical face mask:

• you must wash your hands immediately before putting it on and immediately after taking it off (in addition to practising good hand hygiene while wearing it)

• it should fit well (non-gaping)

• you should not share it with others

Face masks can become contaminated on the outside, or when touched by your hands. When wearing a mask, take the following precautions to protect yourself:

• avoid touching your face mask while using it

• change a cloth mask as soon as it gets damp or soiled

  • 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

• non-medical masks that cannot be washed should be discarded and replaced as soon as they get damp, soiled or crumpled

  • dispose of masks properly in a lined garbage bin

  • do not leave discarded masks in shopping carts, on the ground, etc.

Non-medical masks alone will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must consistently and strictly adhere to good hygiene and public health measures, including frequent hand washing and physical (social) distancing.