COVID-19 safety

What’s on this page?

What does it mean to be COVID-safe?
How you can be COVID-safe?
- Top-10-COVID-rules-to-live-By
COVID-safety tips
Your actions matter
Safe holidays and celebrations
- Halloween COVID-safe
COVID-safe hunting
Community gardens
Staying informed

What does it mean to be COVID-safe?

To be COVID-safe means assessing your actions, think things through, and take deliberate precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our behaviour can help reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19.

How can you be COVID-safe?

Simple actions and personal protective measures will go a long way to protect our health, our health care system, our schools, and our jobs and economy.

Top-10-COVID-Rules-to-Live-By

Use multiple layers of personal protective measures to protect yourself from COVID-19 in any situation (Public Health Ontario, PDF). Whether you are out shopping or attending a gathering it is important you remain COVID-safe to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help keep our communities safe.

Remember to always follow the current guidance and restrictions in effect by the Government of Ontario.

1. Get vaccinated against COVID-19

It is more important than ever to get two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and a third if you are eligible, to boost your immune response. The vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. For the best protection against COVID-19 and variants, such as the delta variant, individuals must complete the vaccine series.

2. Practise physical distancing and avoid crowded spaces

Continue to maintain physical distancing of 2 metres from others in all settings. Physical distancing is important as it limits the number of people with whom you come into close contact. Maintaining 2 metres distance from each other reduces the opportunity for the virus to spread from person to person. Stay 2 metres away from everyone you do not live with, especially when it’s not possible to wear a mask.

When an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the novel coronavirus, if the person has COVID-19. Practise physical distancing to slow the spread!

3. Wear a well-fitting mask

Use a mask in enclosed indoor public spaces and when you can’t keep 2 metres distance outdoors. Keep a mask with you so you can use it when you need it. When wearing a mask make sure it fits properly (covers your nose, mouth, and chin).

4. Spend time outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces

Plan outside gatherings. When outdoor gatherings are not possible ensure proper ventilation. If you do not have a ventilation system, open windows to increase air flow.

5. Limit gatherings

Provincial gathering limits may vary, but public health measures stay the same. Ask yourself if the gathering is necessary and if so, assess your risk and determine how you can make the activity safer.

6. Avoid non-essential travel

Ask yourself if the travel is necessary and if so, plan ahead on how you will keep COVID-safe.

7. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer

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

8. 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 a COVID-19 symptom, get tested.

9. Get tested

If you have a COVID-19 symptom, if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or if you are at risk of exposure to COVID-19, contact an assessment centre and get tested. Remember, you can still be infected after a negative test. A negative result should not be treated as a free pass to let your guard down. Continue to take precautions.

10. Work remotely

Where possible continue to work remotely. Reducing our time in the workplace reduces the possibility of introducing the virus to new environments. If you cannot work remotely, follow public health guidance for workplaces.

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

Assess your risk and practise simple yet powerful Top-10-COVID-Rules-to-Live-By to get us through this pandemic safely.

COVID-safety tips

Seeing a Personal Care Service Provider?

The safe option:

Wear a mask at all times.
Keep 2 metres distance from other people.
Make sure you arrive on time and not too early as to limit the time spent indoors.
Keep your appointment short, do not linger in the building after completion of services.

The safer option:

Ask for the first or last appointment of the day to limit the number of people present in the building.
Attend your appointment by yourself.
If possible, reduce the frequency in which you visit a personal care provider.
Use a touch-free payment method and avoid using money when possible.

Planning a gathering?

The safe option:

Plan indoor and outdoor gatherings where every individual can maintain 2 metres distance. Limit gathering size.
Encourage guests to bring a mask if 2 metres distance cannot be maintained.

The safer option:

Plan for an outdoor gathering while following physical distancing.
Ensure the gathering takes place in a location with lots of space and good ventilation.
Plan the gathering in advance to ensure COVID-safe measures are in place.

Participating in outdoor sports or fitness classes?

The safe option:

Maintain a physical distance from others during physical activity.
Bring a mask for before and after class.
Ensure you sanitize the equipment used before and after you use it. Do not share equipment with others.

The safer option:

Avoid crowded places.
Bring your own water bottle and avoid using communal water fountains.
When possible, bring your own equipment.
Limit socializing after your session.

Attending an outdoor organized public event (sports, concert, farmer’s market)?

The safe option:

Maintain 2 metres distance from others.
Bring a face covering in case maintaining 2 metres distance is not possible.
Frequently wash and sanitize your hands.

The safer option:

Limit the number of public events you attend.
Avoid crowded places.

Going shopping?

The safe option:

Wear a mask at all times, including in the changing rooms.
Maintain 2 metres distance form others.
Sanitize your hands before and after leaving a store.
Limit the amount of merchandise you handle in a store.

The safer option:

Shop alone or with members from your household.
Bring a shopping list to limit the time spent in a store.
Shop during non-peak hours.
Use a touch-free payment method and avoid using money when possible.
If a store offers delivery or curbside options take advantage of these contactless methods.

Dining out?

The safe option:

Limit the number of individuals at your table.
When not at the table, wear a mask.
Maintain at least 2 metres from others not at your table.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before eating.

The safer option:

Only dine out with members of your household.
When not eating wear a mask to socialize with those at your table.
Use a touch-free payment method and avoid using money when possible.
Order take-out instead.

Attending a museum or indoor event space?

The safe option:

Wear a mask at all times.
Maintain 2 metres distance from others.
Sanitize your hands frequently and after you touch an exhibit.

The safer option:

Attend museum and events with members from your household.
Visit museums during non-peak hours.
Attend events that control the number of people in attendance.
Use a touch-free payment method and avoid using money when possible.

Your actions matter

Your actions matter to keep yourself and others COVID-safe. It is important to think ahead and understand risks for COVID-19. Risk levels may vary based on activity.

Here are a few examples of lower risk activities you may choose to do:

Go for a walk in your neighbourhood
Host a backyard BBQ with members of your household
Sightsee in your personal vehicle

Some higher risk activities include:

Gathering indoors in public spaces
Crowded public transportation
Indoor and outdoor parties

Try to choose lower risk activities to limit your risk of contracting COVID-19.

If you get symptoms, even mild ones, do not participate in any activities and make an appointment to get tested for COVID-19.

Safe holidays and celebrations

Staying connected with loved ones and friends is important but COVID-19 does not take holidays. While we continue to navigate a global pandemic, celebrations must look a little different. When planning, hosting, or attending a holiday celebration think about how you can modify your activities in a COVID-safe way.

Consider the current situation of COVID-19 in your area when planning your events or gatherings.
Use local public health guidance to make the safest decision.
Recognize that public health measures are adjusted based on evolving situations across the province and region.
Stay informed to know whether you should postpone, cancel, or limit your celebration.

Halloween COVID-safe

This Halloween be COVID-safe! While traditional Halloween celebrations, like trick-or-treating, are allowed this year, make this Halloween both spooky and COVID-safe for everyone!

Get creative and consider alternatives to traditional celebrations. Have fun with decorations, carve pumpkins, admire Halloween decorations at a distance, host a virtual costume parade, or come up with new ideas of your own.

As you make your plans, ask yourself how you can scare up some Halloween fun and be COVID-safe too.

Gatherings

If you choose to gather with people, continue to follow good public health practices.

Complete your COVID-19 vaccine series by getting two doses and a third dose if you’re eligible. Being fully vaccinated, protects not only yourself, but the little ghosts and goblins who cannot yet get vaccinated as well.
Limit the size of your gathering. The fewer people who gather, the lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Connect virtually with friends and family. Virtual events are safer if people in the group are unvaccinated or if their vaccination status is unknown.
Consider the vaccination status of everyone attending the gathering:
- - With a group of fully vaccinated individuals, you may consider removing your face covering if everyone is comfortable
  - With people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or status is unknown, you should wear a face covering and physically distance
Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. When outdoor gatherings are not possible, ensure proper ventilation indoors. If you do not have a ventilation system, open windows to increase air flow.
Ask guests not to attend if they have symptoms, even if they are mild.
Complete a contact log of all guest attending an in-person gathering.

Trick-or-treating

If you choose to go door-to-door or hand out treats at home, help make this Halloween COVID safe!

Do not trick-or-treat or hand out treats if you are sick.
Hand out treats from outside of your house.
Wear a face covering such as a non-medical mask (that covers your nose, mouth, and chin) when going door-to-door or handing out candy. Remember, a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering.
Stay near your door when handing out candy so ghosts and goblins can avoid high-touch surfaces and objects like door handles and doorbells.
Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for everyone to grab. Consider using tongs, long spoons, or other similar tools to hand out treats, or set up a table with pre-bagged treats to keep distance from trick-or-treaters.
Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps. Keep physically distanced from other trick or treaters!
Wash your hands often and thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Respect people by staying away from homes if the lights are out.

Halloween at school

Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for children of all ages. Here are some things to consider for schools that want to celebrate the holidays with their students.

Consider safe distribution of Halloween treats within cohorts.
Every student is provided with or brings their own labelled envelope, bag, container of sorts to collect treats.
Set up a table with pre-bagged treats. Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for everyone to grab. Staff should consider using tongs, long spoons, or other similar tools to hand out treats to keep physical distance from trick-or-treaters
Students should practice physical distancing when gathering their treats.
No homemade treats. All pre-packaged from a store.
Everyone should wash their hands before and after eating those yummy treats!

Learn more about how to celebrate safely (Government of Ontario).

COVID-safe hunting

To protect our families, and our communities, hunting needs to take place in COVID-safe way.

While hunting this season follow these COVID-safe tips.

Get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Stay at home and get tested if you have a COVID-19 symptom.
Travel in your own vehicle to the camp or lodge
Limiting your hunting group size.
Consider having fewer hunters stay in the camp or lodge.
Wear a face covering indoors and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Wash your hands often and when visibly dirty, for 15 seconds. Make a habit of carrying hand sanitizer with you.
Clean high touch surfaces often and well.
Don’t share personal items such as cutlery and cups.
Complete a contact log of all participants.

Community gardens

The operator(s) of community or allotment gardens must ensure that all garden members are familiar with Public Health conditions and directions for operating during COVID-19. Visit our COVID-19 resources page to download our COVID-19 and Community Gardens Public Health Direction and signage.

Stay informed and be prepared

Canadians’ best defense against COVID-19 is to stay informed, be prepared and get vaccinated. Anyone can post anything online. It’s important to think critically about posts to decide if it’s 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 October 19, 2021