COVID-19 safety

As provincial health and workplace safety measures (Government of Ontario) are lifted and as we adjust to the new normal, please continue to be patient and understanding of those around you. Everyone is experiencing the pandemic differently and may have different comfort levels when it comes to pandemic precautions—including wearing a well-fitted mask or face covering and practising physical distancing. Respect and kindness have brought us this far, and they will continue to serve us well as we move forward.

Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to strongly recommend the use of multiple layers of protection (PDF) such as vaccination, masking, practising physical distancing, hand-washing and self-screening daily. COVID-19 is still circulating locally and across the province. It is important we continue to make wise choices based on personal circumstances. Consider your age, vaccination status, health status, and know your own risk. Individuals who are immunocompromised, and members of their household should continue to take precautions. Take steps to protect yourself and others.

Practise these COVID-safe tips:

1. Get vaccinated and stay up to date

Get vaccinated against COVID-19. It is highly recommended you receive all recommended doses (including booster doses) of the vaccine to stay up to date and to build long-term protection against COVID-19. Getting your booster dose (s) gives you better protection against severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death. It remains important for everyone else to complete their primary series if they have not already. The vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19.

2. Wear a well-fitted mask or face covering and practise physical distancing

Public Health Sudbury & Districts continues to strongly recommend the use of a well-fitted mask or face covering and physical distancing in indoor public settings to protect against COVID-19 infection. This is particularly important in crowded indoor spaces and especially if you have higher personal health risks or if your close circle includes those who are vulnerable to severe infection.

3. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer

Wash your hands well and often and when visibly dirty for 15 seconds. When entering or leaving a store or event space apply hand sanitizer to your hands. Continue the habit of carrying hand sanitizer with you for when hand washing is not possible.

4. Assess your risk and self-screen daily

Assess your risk, think about your actions, and take deliberate precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Take mindful actions to protect yourself and those around you. Know the symptoms of COVID-19 (Government of Ontario) and take immediate actions if any arise. Complete a self-screening daily by using the COVID-19 self-assessment (Government of Ontario).

5. Stay home when ill

The easiest way to reduce transmission is to stay home when ill. By staying home, you reduce your number of interactions with people and the risk of spreading disease. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (Government of Ontario), assume that you may have the virus.

Remember to practise kindness, patience, and gratitude—we are all in this together. Adapting our behaviour and doing things in new ways takes practice. Be patient with others while we continue to adjust and adapt.

Stay informed and be prepared

Our best defense against COVID-19 is to stay informed, be prepared and to get vaccinated. Anyone can post anything online. It is important to think critically about posts to decide if they are truthful and safe. Here are some tips to help you decide whether information is worth considering:

Check that the information came from a trusted source.
Check what public health officials and the government are saying.
Read the entire story or post. Sometimes headlines can be misleading.

The following are examples credible sources of information.

For more information and credible resources, visit our COVID-19 resources page.

This item was last modified on May 9, 2022