Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Canada’s response
On this page
- Support to provinces and territories
- Economic and financial support
- Border measures and travel
- Support for Canadians abroad
- Digital tools and apps
- Public education
- Immunization
- Health care preparedness, guidance and ethics
- Military
- Diverse communities
- Helping people who use substances
- Research and technology
- Collaboration
- Clinical trials and sponsors
- Drug and medical device supply monitoring
Support to provinces and territories
COVID 19: Support to provinces and territories
We are working to support provinces and territories in responding to COVID-19, such as with:
- contact tracing
- testing assistance
- testing equipment
- laboratory services
- outbreak management
- voluntary safe isolation sites
Economic and financial support
Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
Learn more about Canada's actions to help Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Border measures and travel
- Border measures
- Avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada
- Avoid all travel on cruise ships
- Pandemic COVID-19 travel health notice
- Locations where you may have been exposed to COVID-19
- COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance issued by Transport Canada
We are continually assessing travel risks for Canadians. All international passenger flight arrivals have been redirected to 1 of 4 airports:
- Calgary International Airport
- Vancouver International Airport
- Toronto's Pearson International Airport
- Montréal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
Since May 21, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada, under the Quarantine Act, has gradually increased its presence at key high-volume ports of entry across Canada, including land borders. We have added more:
- screening officers
- quarantine officers
- clinical screening officers
- environmental health officers
We are also:
- identifying travellers who may be ill
- implementing emergency measures to require travellers entering Canada to quarantine for 14 days
- asking travellers to monitor their symptoms and take appropriate action if they experience symptoms
Support for Canadians abroad
Emergency Loan Program for Canadians Abroad
We created this program to help Canadians return home or cope with challenges they are facing while travelling.
The Program will provide the option of an emergency loan to Canadians in need of immediate financial assistance to return home or to temporarily cover their life-sustaining needs while they work toward their return.
Global Affairs Canada is providing 24/7 consular support to Canadians abroad affected by COVID-19 through the Emergency Watch and Response Centre and through consular staff at its network of missions.
Digital tools and apps
Digital government response to COVID-19
Canada has developed apps and tools including the free COVID Alert app which notifies you if someone you were near in the past 14 days tells the app they tested positive.
Public education
Awareness resources
Public education plays a critical role in our response to COVID-19 by providing timely, accessible and evidence-informed information that:
- increases awareness and understanding of the disease
- explains prevention and what to do if you develop symptoms
- addresses misinformation
We have developed printable resources in many languages, on topics such as handwashing, making a mask, and how to isolate, so that Canadians can better understand and take steps to protect themselves and their families.
We have launched a national public education campaign that provides Canadians with evidence-based information on COVID-19, and encourages behaviours that protect individuals and our communities. This campaign includes:
- advertising
- partnerships
- social marketing
- social media posts
- information resources
- targeted outreach to at-risk populations
Immunization
Canada’s COVID-19 immunization plan
We’re working at all levels of government to be ready to deliver safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines to everyone who wants one.
COVID-19 immunization: Federal, provincial and territorial statement of common principles
How governments will approach decisions on COVID-19 immunization in their respective jurisdictions.
Health care preparedness, guidance and ethics
Pandemic guidance for the health care sector
This framework offers guidance on:
- long-term and critical care settings
- clinical management of patients
- COVID health sector preparedness
Guidance for managing COVID-19
This ethical and technical guidance was developed for health professionals and a broad range of sectors in collaboration with:
- health authorities
- public health experts
- provincial and territorial governments
Public health ethics framework
We developed this framework to help guide policy makers and public health professionals when making decisions in the context of COVID-19. The framework outlines ethical principles and values for public health authorities to consider. It also sets out questions to help clarify issues, analyze and weigh relevant considerations and assess options to support decision making in real situations.
To help communities across Canada, we have mobilized resources where needed, such as:
- public health resources, including:
- infection prevention and control
- epidemiologists
- environmental health officers
- personal protective equipment
- medical equipment
- laboratory supplies
Military
Military response to COVID-19
The Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence are working with civil authorities at all levels of government. While helping communities, we're doing everything possible to protect armed forces members from exposure.
Support includes:
- sending medical staff to support long-term care facilities
- deploying Canadian rangers to deliver food, supplies and assistance to northern communities
Diverse communities
Addressing COVID-19 needs in diverse communities
We are engaging across government and directly with equity-seeking groups - including racialized, religious minority and Indigenous communities - to ensure the federal response to the pandemic is informed by diverse community needs.
Helping people who use substances
Targeted actions to reduce the risk of harm for people who use substances
We are taking a number of targeted actions to address these issues. The COVID-19 pandemic is compounding the ongoing public health crisis related to high rates of opioid overdose and deaths, as well as acute substance use harms. These crises are made worse in communities where there is chronic overcrowding, including a shortage of housing or other shelters.
Research and technology
- International efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic
- Government of Canada's Research Response to COVID-19 Report
Canadian researchers are working hard to support international efforts. To slow, and eventually stop, the spread of COVID-19, we need to advance research and technology development.
Research is taking place to enhance our capacity to:
- test antivirals and other treatments
- develop vaccines
- support clinical trials
Research is also underway to quickly detect, manage and reduce the transmission of COVID-19, including:
- diagnostic testing
- clinical management
- transmission dynamics
- social impacts
- unintended consequences of physical distancing (such as family violence, mental health impacts, food insecurity)
Collaboration
Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Health Response Plan for Biological Events
The response plan was created to ensure a coordinated response across Canada.
Special Advisory Committee on COVID-19
This committee was established to advise Federal/Provincial/Territorial Deputy Ministers of Health across Canada on the coordination, public health policy and technical content related to this outbreak. This committee consists of the members of the Pan-Canadian Public Health Network Council and the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health, and is co-chaired by Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, and Dr. Saqib Shahab, Saskatchewan Chief Medical Health Officer. On May 1, 2020, the committee released: Foundations for Living with COVID-19 in Canada: Lifting of Restrictive Public Health Measures. On May 20, 2020, the committee released a fact sheet on mask wearing for community settings.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is working closely with partners domestically and around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO), to respond to this outbreak.
Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) has developed a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test that can diagnose COVID-19 from clinical specimens. The NML is working collaboratively with Canadian provincial public health laboratories through the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network to ensure there is additional testing capacity in multiple jurisdictions.
At this time, the NML also supports the use of other publicly posted international assays.
Further collaborative scientific studies to investigate the virus are underway.
We are working with international regulators to help fast-track clinical trials and applications for vaccines, treatments and diagnostic tests. The International Coalition of Medicines Regulatory Authorities held a global medicines regulators web meeting on March 18, 2020. Discussions included regulatory considerations for anticipated COVID-19 vaccine candidates to advance regulatory convergence. A key objective of the meeting was to discuss and agree on an approach to the requirements to support first-in-human clinical trials. The press release and meeting report are available for access. Health Canada has also engaged with international regulatory partners under the Australia-Canada-Singapore-Switzerland Consortium to explore potential collaboration on regulatory issues related to COVID-19.
We are also working closely with international regulatory partners, including the European Medicines Agency, the United States Food and Drug Administration, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration, to share information on any signals of global supply disruptions.
Clinical trials and sponsors
Companies and researchers with drugs, medical devices, or natural health products that may be effective in treating or diagnosing COVID-19 are encouraged to contact us to facilitate clinical trials.
Clinical trials are studies to find out whether a drug or medical device is safe and effective for people. We can authorize a clinical trial quickly in urgent situations.
Please contact us at:
- trials using pharmaceutical drugs: OCT_BEC_Enquiries_Enquetes@hc-sc.gc.ca
- trials using biologics or radiopharmaceuticals: hc.bgtd.ora.sc@canada.ca
- trials using natural health products: NHPD-CTA.DEC-DPSN@canada.ca
- investigational testing of medical devices: hc.meddevices-instrumentsmed.sc@canada.ca
Drug and medical device supply monitoring
The Government of Canada is actively monitoring the novel COVID-19 and its impact on the supply of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural health products and medical devices in Canada. We do this through regular contact with:
- drug, medical device and natural health products manufacturers and importers
- provincial, territorial and international partners
We are aware that there may be supply disruptions related to COVID-19 and are monitoring the situation closely.
Companies that market prescription drugs for human use in Canada must report anticipated or actual drug shortages on Drug Shortages Canada. We have contacted companies to remind them of this requirement. We have also asked industry stakeholder associations to notify us of any early signals of shortages related to COVID-19. The provinces and territories, healthcare professionals or the public can also report drug and medical device shortage signals.
We will continue to use all available tools to help manage critical national shortages when they happen, and work with partners so that Canadians have access to the medications they need.
Related links
- Digital factsheets, printable posters and shareable videos on COVID-19 (multilingual products available)
- COVID-19: Social media and promotional resources for Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada
- COVID-19: Updates on laws, corrections and parole
- Special measures to help temporary and permanent residents and applicants affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
What COVID-19 information do you need?
- ArriveCAN
- Use ArriveCAN to enter Canada
- What to do after you've arrived in Canada
- How to use ArriveCAN
- Check requirements for entering Canada
- Your privacy and ArriveCAN
- Additional questions about ArriveCAN
- Travel
- Find out if you can travel to Canada
- Travel restrictions in Canada
- Quarantine and isolation for travellers
- Compassionate exemptions
- Registration of Canadians Abroad service
- Check if you have been exposed during recent travel
- I am a Canadian travelling abroad and I need support. Who can I contact?
- I am a traveller trying to return home to Canada. How do I get financial support while abroad?
- Income support
- Health and safety
- Prevention and risks
- COVID-19 vaccines overview
- Vaccine distribution
- Vaccine safety and possible side effects
- Authorized vaccines
- What is my risk of getting COVID-19 in Canada?
- Difference between quarantine vs isolate
- Physical distancing and how it helps minimize COVID-19
- How can I go out safely during the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Surface contamination
- Which people are at risk of severe outcomes?
- Pregnancy and risks related to COVID-19
- Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food?
- Can my pet or other animals get sick from this virus?
- Hygiene
- Wearing masks
- Can COVID-19 spread while swimming in lakes and pools?
- Can COVID-19 spread through sex?
- Symptoms and treatment
- Reduce COVID-19 in your community
- What can I do to care for my mental and physical health?
- Drug and medical device supply monitoring
- For clinical trial sponsors
- Prevention and risks
- Additional economic and financial support
- Individuals
- Individuals and families
- People with disabilities
- Post-secondary students and recent graduates
- Seniors
- Indigenous peoples
- Supporting Indigenous communities
- Boosting the On-Reserve Income Assistance Program
- Funding for additional health care resources for Indigenous communities
- Expanding and improving access to mental wellness services
- Making personal hygiene products and nutritious food more affordable
- Providing support to Indigenous post-secondary students
- Ensuring a safe return to school for First Nations
- New shelters to protect and support Indigenous women and children fleeing violence
- Support for businesses
- Avoiding layoffs, rehiring employees and creating new jobs
- Taxes and tariffs
- Financial support, loans and access to credit
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) interest-free loans
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
- Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
- Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
- Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
- Mid-Market Financing Program
- Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program
- Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)
- Additional support by sector
- Targeted support
- Self-employed individuals
- Indigenous businesses
- Supporting financial stability
- Support for sectors
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Keeping workers in the food supply chain safe
- Increasing credit availability
- Protecting the health and safety of farm workers
- Helping producers faced with additional costs incurred by COVID-19
- Increasing the Canadian Dairy Commission borrowing limit
- Increasing interim payments from 50% to 75% through AgriStability
- Expanding AgriInsurance to include labour shortage
- Additional support for your business
- Aquaculture and fisheries
- Cultural, heritage and sport
- Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations
- Support for Independent production companies
- Supporting Canada’s six national museums and the National Battlefields Commission
- Helping the National Arts Centre continue its operations
- Waiving payments for Part I licence fees
- Additional support for your business
- Air transportation
- Tourism
- Energy
- Academic and research
- Infrastructure
- Mining
- Infrastructure
- Agriculture and agri-food
- Organizations helping Canadians
- Services to those in need
- Seniors
- People who need it most
- Helping address urgent housing needs of vulnerable individuals
- Supporting people experiencing homelessness
- Supporting women and children fleeing violence
- Providing youth with mental health support
- Supporting public health efforts through the Canadian Red Cross
- Additional support for your organization
- People with disabilities
- Provinces and territories
- People who need it most
- Health
- Economy
- Education
- Individuals
- About COVID-19
- E-mail updates on COVID-19
- Current confirmed number of COVID-19 cases in Canada
- More details about the cases reported in Canada
- How does it spread?
- Where can I get information specific to my province or territory?
- How governments are working together
- How can I make a difference in Canada’s COVID-19 response efforts?
- Resources for parents and children
- Resources for youth, students and young adults
- Resources for seniors and their caregivers
- Resources for Indigenous communities
- People with disabilities
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