Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Guidance documents
The following is ethical and technical guidance on COVID-19 for various audiences.
About guidance creation
We have developed guidance for managing COVID-19. This guidance is for:
- health professionals who manage clinical care, and infection prevention and control within health care facilities
- health professionals who develop public health advice, policies and programs
- a broad range of sectors, including:
- industry
- youth and child care settings
- community-based services (for example, services for homeless people)
- death services
- faith community leaders
The guidelines complement provincial and territorial public health efforts. They were developed jointly by:
- the Public Health Agency of Canada
- Health Canada
- federal, provincial and territorial governments
- health authorities
- public health experts
We based this guidance on the best current scientific knowledge, expert opinion and public health practices. It may change as we learn more.
Provinces and territories also have guidance for health professionals. These may include legislative, regulatory, policy and practice requirements, as well as professional guidelines. Their recommendations may differ, reflecting differences in the epidemic across the country.
If you are a health care provider looking for guidance for your profession, contact the licensing or accreditation organization in your province.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety may also have guidance for your sector.
Ethics
Communities
- COVID-19: Safety advice for private indoor gatherings
- Guidance for a strategic approach to lifting restrictive public health measures
- Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Canada
- Risk mitigation tool for outdoor recreation spaces and activities operating during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Guidance for providers of services for people experiencing homelessness (in the context of COVID-19)
- COVID-19 and people with disabilities in Canada
- Risk mitigation tool for gatherings and events operating during the COVID-19 pandemic
Child and youth settings
Post-secondary institutions
Health professionals
Clinical care
Immunization
Infection prevention and control
- Infection prevention and control recommendations for medical evacuation by aircraft of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from remote and isolated communities in Canada's North
- Second interim guidance: Infection prevention and control for COVID-19 for acute healthcare settings
- Interim guidance: Infection prevention and control for COVID-19 for outpatient and ambulatory care settings
- Interim guidance: Infection prevention and control for COVID-19 for home care settings
- Interim guidance: Infection prevention and control for COVID-19 for long-term care homes
- Routine practices and additional precautions for preventing the transmission of infection in healthcare settings
Surveillance and reporting
Testing
- Interim guidance on the use of rapid antigen detection tests for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection
- Pan-Canadian COVID-19 testing and screening guidance
- National polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing indication guidance for COVID-19
- Requirements for serological antibody tests submitted under the COVID-19 interim order
Health sector preparation
Businesses
- Risk mitigation tool for workplaces/businesses operating during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Bank of Canada asks retailers to continue accepting cash
- Advice for essential retailers during COVID-19 pandemic
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
- COVID-19 resources and guidance for businesses
- Caring for Heritage Collections during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Indigenous communities
- Accessing additional public health support for First Nations and Inuit communities during COVID-19
- Protecting the health and safety of Indigenous communities in close proximity to natural resource operations
- COVID-19 guidance for long-term care facilities and nursing homes in Indigenous communities
- Emergency response process during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Core Principles for Good Healthy Living Messages in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Remote and Isolated Northern Communities
- Guidance on Re-Opening Northern, Remote, Isolated, and Indigenous Communities
- Expanding Virtual Care Capacity in Canada's Northern Regions: Proposed Approach for a Rapid Deployment
Industry
Death care services
What COVID-19 information do you need?
- Income support
- Health and safety
- Prevention and risks
- 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
- Travel restrictions, exemptions and advice
- Exemptions
- Compassionate exemptions
- Can I leave Canada before my 14-day mandatory quarantine is over?
- I have a negative test for COVID-19. Do I still need to quarantine?
- I have had and recovered from COVID-19. Do I still need to quarantine?
- I am an essential worker under provincial legislation. Am I also exempt from the federal emergency orders?
- Are Canadians currently able to travel to the U.S.?
- Travellers arriving in Canada
- Avoid all non-essential travel
- Avoid all travel on cruise ships
- Registration of Canadians Abroad service
- Check if you have been exposed during recent travel
- I have to travel for essential reasons. How can I reduce my risk of infection?
- 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?
- Exemptions
- 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
- Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
- Co-Lending Program for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
- Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)
- Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA)
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
- Mid-Market Financing Program
- Mid-Market Guarantee and Financing Program
- Businesses in the territories
- Supporting Black-led business organizations through the National Ecosystem Fund
- Supporting Black business owners and entrepreneurs through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
- Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF)
- 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
- 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
- Aquaculture and fisheries
- Cultural, heritage and sport
- Air transportation
- 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
- 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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