Help reduce the spread of COVID-19

Organization: Public Health Agency of Canada

Date published: 2020-05-27

Related links

• About COVID-19
• Stay home during COVID-19
• Protect yourself and others against COVID-19
• Know the facts about COVID-19
• A Pan-Canadian response to COVID-19

Take steps to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19):

• follow the advice of your local public health authority
• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth
• avoid close contact with people who are sick and practice physical distancing
• cough and sneeze into your sleeve and not your hands
• stay home as much as possible and if you need to leave the house practice physical distancing (approximately 2m)

Symptoms

Symptoms of COVID-19 may be very mild or more serious and may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus. The most common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing

If you have symptoms

• Isolate at home to avoid spreading illness to others.
• Avoid visits with older adults, or those with medical conditions. They are at higher risk of developing serious illness.
• Call ahead before you visit a health care professional or call your local public health authority.
• If your symptoms get worse, contact your health care provider or public health authority right away, and follow their instructions.

For more information on COVID-19, visit Canada.ca/coronavirus or contact 1-833-784-4397 1-833-784-4397