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Self-isolation for COVID-19

Self-isolating means staying at home and avoiding contact with others to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your community. Self-isolating will help protect everyone - including people who are more likely to get very ill from COVID-19, such as older individuals or those which chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes.

By self-isolating, you can help “flatten the curve” by preventing a lot of people from getting sick at once so our health care system can respond and take care of those who need it.

You should self-isolate if

  • You are over 70 years of age.
  • You have a weakened immune system
  • You have a medical condition​.

You must self-isolate if

  • You have COVID-19​
  • You have COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, muscle aches, tiredness)
  • You may have been exposed to COVID-19​
  • You have returned from anywhere outside Canada, including the United States, within the past 14 days​​

​How to sel​f-isolate?This is an image that shows how to self-isolate

  • Stay home. 
  • Monitor your health for fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.  
  • Sneeze and cough into your sleeve. 
  • Wash your hands regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
  • Do not go to work, school, or other public places. 
  • Do not use public transportation, taxis, or rideshares. 
  • Ask for help from friends, family, or neighbors with essential errands like going to the grocery store.
  • Seek services over the phone or internet, when possible.  
  • Avoid contact with older people and people with chronic illnesses like asthma or diabetes.
  • For more information on how to self-isolate, please click here​. 

I share my home with others. How can I self-iso​late to kee​​p them safe?

  • Stay in a separate room away from others in your home and use a separate bathroom if you have one.
  • Make sure shared rooms have good air flow (like open windows, if possible).
  • If you are in a room with others, keep at least 2 metres distance from them. 
  • Do not share household items such as dishes, towels, or bedding.
  • Clean regularly touched items like door knobs, faucets, or tables daily. 

What should I​​ do if I develop a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing while I’m self-isolating?

  • Continue to self-isolate.
  • Call us on our COVID-19 hotline at 1-866-468-2240.
  • Wear a mask if you leave your home to see a health care provider.
  • If you require emergency care, call 911 and be sure to tell them you are in self-isolation. 

​While you might not feel sick, and while we know these measures are inconvenient, please be mindful of the members of our community who are more vulnerable to COVID-19 than others. We are all in this together.

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