Going out: Personal and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Want to join the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19?

Think about the risks

As provinces and territories lift or adjust public health measures, we have to think about the risks associated with different settings and activities.

Minimize your risk by avoiding the 3 Cs:

closed spaces with poor ventilation
crowded places with many people nearby
close faces, such as close-range conversations

Before going out, consider the risks and make informed choices to keep yourself, your family and your communities safe. If a planned activity makes you more likely to be exposed and puts you at higher risk of getting COVID-19, consider avoiding it.

If you're at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19 or if the activity means you can’t avoid the 3 Cs:

stay home as much as possible
take all possible measures to reduce your risk
socialize with only a small and consistent group of people
call ahead or check online to learn if the store, business or destination offers specific hours for you to visit
use curbside pick-up or delivery options rather than in-person shopping for prescriptions and groceries

Check your risk level
Ask yourself	Lower risk	Higher risk
How much COVID-19 is spreading in your community right now?	Activities are lower risk if COVID-19 isn’t spreading in your community.	Activities are higher risk if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
Will the people at the activity or event be from your small and consistent social circle or will they be strangers?	Risk is lower when you have limited contact with people outside of your household or small and consistent social circle.	Risk is higher when you have more contact with people outside of your household or small and consistent social circle.
Are you or somebody in your home or close social circle at risk of more severe disease or outcomes if you or they get COVID-19?	The event or activity has a lower risk if it involves limited or no contact with people who are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19.	The event or activity has a higher risk if those at risk of more severe disease or outcomes will be in attendance. This includes older adults, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, people of any age who are immunocompromised and people living with obesity.
Does the event or activity take place in a large, open space or small, enclosed space? Can you follow physical distancing and good hygiene practices?	Risk is lower when you’re in open, well-ventilated spaces where you can practise physical distancing and good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands.	Risk is higher when you’re in smaller, crowded or enclosed spaces, where you may be unable to maintain a physical distance from others and practise good hygiene, such as washing your hands.
Is the activity indoors or outdoors?	Risk is lower when the event or activity takes place outdoors.	Risk is higher when the event or activity takes place indoors.
Will there be few people or crowds?	Risk is lower when you’re at an event or setting with fewer people.	Risk is higher when you’re at an event or setting with a large number of people.
Will the interactions you have with others be short or long?	Risk is lower when you have short interactions with people.	Risk is higher when you spend a long period of time with people.
Are you able to follow personal preventive practices?	Risk is lower if you’re able to follow personal preventive practices.	Risk is higher if you’re not able to follow personal preventive practices.
Will you need to use public transportation?	Risk is lower if you don’t use public transportation.	Risk is higher if you use public transportation.
Will you be in frequent contact with high-touch surfaces?	Risk is lower if you don’t have frequent contact with high-touch surfaces.	Risk is higher if you have frequent contact with high-touch surfaces.
Will people at the activity or event be wearing a non-medical mask or face covering?	Risk is lower if people are wearing a non-medical mask or face covering when physical distancing is difficult to maintain, particularly in crowded public settings.	Risk is higher if you have close, prolonged contact with people who aren’t wearing a non-medical mask or face covering in crowded public settings.

Personal practices for all public spaces

Follow public health measures and reduce your risks when participating in personal and social activities by following the personal practices below.

Stay home if you feel sick or have any symptoms, even if mild.
Avoid physical contact with others.
Wear a non-medical mask or face covering when:
- indoors in public spaces
- indoors or outdoors in closed spaces, crowded places and close contact situations where you can't keep 2 metres away from others
- required by the business or local public health authority
Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm.
Minimize handling cash by using cashless transactions, or cleaning your hands if you do use cash.
Keep 2 metres away from anyone who doesn't live with you or isn't in your small and consistent social circle.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or carry hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often, especially:
  - before eating or drinking
  - when you enter and exit a building
  - after you touch common and frequently touched surfaces or objects

Read signs posted at entrances before entering the building and follow the public health measures in place.

Check the shop or business website or call ahead to see what COVID-19 specific practices and polices are in place. You may need to wear a non-medical mask or face covering to enter.

You may also want to know how the business will protect your health, such as:

staff wearing non-medical masks or face coverings
screening staff and clients for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure to COVID-19
keeping staff and patrons home if they have COVID-19 or related symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who's sick

Using transportation

Public transportation includes transit such as:

ferries
rideshares
taxi or limo services
buses, trains and subways
shared bikes, skateboards and other micro-mobility devices

In addition to following personal practices for all public spaces, take additional measures using public transportation.

Clean your hands:
- when you enter and leave transportation services
- after touching common surfaces, such as ticket dispensers, door handles, railings or buttons
Avoid commuting during peak hours, if possible.
Follow visual cues and signage to ensure physical distancing:
- while seated
- at public transportation stops and stations
- when entering and exiting transportation services
Check if your transit company or local public health authority has a policy on wearing masks at all times.
Avoid carpooling in personal or rideshare vehicles. If you have to use a rideshare, taxi or limo service:
- keep your window open if possible
- sit in the back seat, away from the driver

Do not use public transportation to go to a health centre if you feel sick or have any symptoms, even if mild.

Going to work

In addition to personal practices for all public spaces, take additional measures when going to work.

Notify your employer if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been confirmed to have it.
Bring your lunch, coffee and snacks from home.
Avoid gathering in groups in breakrooms and common areas.
Avoid visiting public spaces between your home and workplace.

Personal and social activities

In addition to personal practices for all public spaces, take additional measures when participating in personal and social activities.

Download our poster to raise awareness on going out safely during the pandemic.

Bars and nightclubs

Limit your alcohol consumption so you're able to make safe decisions and follow public health practices.
Wear a non-medical mask or face covering when not seated at your table.
Don't share drinks or utensils.
Clean your hands after touching:
- menus
- chairs and tables
- bar tops and rails
- payment machines

Gyms and fitness centres

Confirm that your gym or fitness centre has public health measures in place, such as:
- ensuring hand sanitizer is available
- cleaning and disinfecting equipment before and after use
- limiting the use of, or closing, shared spaces like locker rooms
- rearranging the layout to allow participants to keep at least 2 metres away from each other
Use online reservation and check in systems, if available.
Bring your water bottle and avoid using drinking fountains.
Don't use equipment that can't be cleaned and sanitized between every use.
Wear a non-medical mask or face covering when the type and intensity of the exercise allows for it.
Only participate in group sessions that are:
- outdoors with physical distancing measures in place
- indoors with small group sizes and enough space for everyone to practise physical distancing

Hair and nail salons

Avoid waiting in the salon with other people by:
- booking services online or by phone
- staying outside or in your car until it's time for your appointment
Don't bring children or other guests to your appointment.
Confirm that your salon has public health measures in place, such as:
- providing hand sanitizer
- using single-use supplies where possible
- keeping workstations at least 2 metres apart or using barriers like clear acrylic/plastic separators
Clean your hands after receiving nail services.

Public libraries

Clean your hands after touching:
- public computers
- book return slots
- touch screen checkout stations
- books or other available resource materials
Use online reservation and resource checkout systems if available.
Pick digital resources over print and hard copy materials, if possible.
Clean and disinfect materials in plastic containers, such as audiobooks, when you pick them up and return them.

Movie theatres

Clean your hands:
- before and after eating or drinking
- after touching your seat or armrest
- after using touch screen ticketing machines
Don't share snacks or drinks.
Use online reservation and check in systems, when available.
Sit away from anyone who doesn't live with you or isn't part of your close social circle.

Restaurant dining

Eat outside, if possible.
Don't share drinks or utensils.
Clean your hands after touching items like:
- menus
- chairs and tables
- condiment bottles
- payment machines
Wear a non-medical mask or face covering when not seated at your table.
Avoid self-serve food and drink options, like buffets and drink dispensers in fast food restaurants.
Limit your alcohol consumption so you're able to make good decisions and practise safety measures that protect yourself and others.

Hosting small gatherings

Remind your guests to follow the recommended practices for protecting themselves and others. If you must host an event, follow our guidance to do so safety.

Running errands

In addition to personal practices for all public spaces, take these additional measures when running errands.

Limit the number of people you bring with you to run errands.
Limit what you touch by only picking up items you plan on purchasing.
Follow floor markings and other physical distancing visual cues when:
- waiting in lines
- moving through the aisles
- entering and exiting a building
Try not to take your mask off between stops if you're visiting more than one store or business. If you do remove your mask, sanitize your hands afterwards.

Visiting health professionals

In addition to following personal practices for all public spaces, take additional measures when you visit your health professionals.

Before your appointment, check for phone calls, texts or emails that explain any COVID-19-related measures. You may need to fill out a pre-screening questionnaire and wear a non-medical mask or face covering.
Reschedule or cancel your appointment if you're feeling sick.
Avoid bringing others to your appointment (unless essential).
Wait in your vehicle or outside the building until it's time for your appointment (if possible).
If you need to remove your mask for your appointment, such as dental procedures, handle it carefully.

Gathering in outdoor spaces

It's important to use protective measures while in public outdoor spaces. This includes areas like:

trails
beaches
campgrounds
outdoor recreation spaces
parks, including playgrounds and dog parks

In addition to personal preventive practices for all public spaces, you should also:

play only low-contact recreational sports and where you can keep a 2-metre distance from other players
avoid large groups or crowding at:
- beaches
- picnic areas
- lookout points
- trail entrance/exits
wash or sanitize your hands after touching common surfaces, including:
- park benches
- public washrooms
- playground equipment
carry a water bottles and refreshments and avoid using public drinking fountains
avoid sharing items with people who don't live with you or aren't in your small and consistent social circle. These items include:
- toys
- swimming materials
- sports and recreation equipment

Language selection

Search