COVID-19 information and resources: reducing your risk for infection and spreading the virus

1. Am I at high risk of developing serious complications of COVID-19 or would having to self-isolate/quarantine seriously disrupt my plans or priorities?
2. Are there people at high risk of developing serious complications of COVID-19 in my household/close contacts that I could unintentionally infect?

1. Are there measures in place in the setting to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, e.g. ventilation supporting physical distancing and requiring people to wear masks?
2. Will I be able to make adjustments in the setting (e.g. stepping away if it gets crowded, wearing a mask and washing/disinfecting my hands frequently)?

Getting fully vaccinated is your best protection against COVID-19 and its harms. Plan for, register, and get vaccinated and support others to get vaccinated. See below for more information on COVID-19 vaccination.

Regardless of your vaccination status, you can continue to take measures to lower your risks and/or support others at high risk of COVID-19 severe disease or outcomes by being prepared and finding safer ways to connect. It is recommended that you continue to follow local public health advice. In addition, personal protective practices such as the following continue to be important:

• Finding ways to safely participate in society and meet our physical, social and mental health needs by choosing lower risk settings and activities.
• Staying home and keeping away from others if you have any symptoms, even if mild (as needed, contact your local public health authority to be guided safely to testing and care).
• Avoiding non-essential travel outside Canada; if you must travel outside Canada for essential reasons, be aware of the requirements for visiting other countries and for returning to Canada.
• Accessing quality information remains crucial for safety and success. There is a lot of misinformation circulating online and on social media so it is important to fact check against trusted and credible sources. Canadians can go the extra mile by sharing credible information and updates with others.
  • Canada.ca/coronavirus is a good place to start, which includes tools to help you stay informed. Information continues to evolve, check back often to keep informed and up-to-date.
  • Learn about and report COVID-19 scams, frauds and misleading claims.
  • Cyber attackers take advantage of high-profile events, particularly those like COVID-19 that cause worry and concern. Take steps to Stay Cyber-healthy during COVID-19

If you are not vaccinated, partially vaccinated or at risk of more severe disease or outcomes, masking, and physical distancing are important additional layers of protection that can reduce your risk in all settings, as well as improving ventilation in indoor spaces as much as possible. Your risk is always lower when outside in well-ventilated, uncrowded areas.