See the ministry of health's ONTARIO PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES AND ADVICE website for instructions around:
- symptoms
- isolation
- MASKING
OR CALL THE PROVINCIAL TESTING AND ISOLATION INFORMATION LINE FROM 8:30AM-4:30PM, MONDAY TO FRIDAY: 1 (888) 777-0730
If you have ONE or more of the following symptoms (that is new or worsening and not related to any other cause or any other condition you might have), it is highly likely you have COVID-19 and are contagious and can spread COVID-19 to others:
- Fever and/or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Decrease or loss of smell or taste
If you have TWO or more of the following symptoms (that is new or worsening and not related to any other cause or any other condition you might have), it is highly likely you have COVID-19 and are contagious and can spread COVID-19 to others:
- Extreme fatigue; feel unwell, no energy, extremely tired
- Muscle aches or joint pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea/upset stomach, vomiting/throwing up and/or diarrhea)
- Sore throat; hurts or is hard to swallow
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Headache
Complete this online tool and follow the recommendations on what to do next based on your situation. You can also take it on behalf of someone else.
Most people will need to follow the directions below unless they are someone who lives in the highest risk settings (long-term care, retirement homes,group homes, etc) OR they are immunocompromised (more details about who qualifies as immunocompromised are outlined on the tool). Individuals in these two groups will be provided with a different set of requirements and the tool will explain these in detail. See below for a list of recommendations.
In general:
Stay home while you are sick to prevent transmission to others, except for testing or medical care if required.
- Don’t go into public spaces unless it is for a critical reason (like going to a testing location, clinical assessment centre or for a medical emergency).
- Wear a well-fitted mask if you must leave home for these reasons.
Self-isolate at home until:
- your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea) and
- you do not have a fever and
- you do not develop any additional symptoms
Get more information on how to self-isolate
- COVID-19 – How to self-isolate (PDF)
- COVID-19 - Self-Isolation for Caregivers, Household Members and Close Contacts - Public Health Ontario (PDF)
- How to Care for a Person with COVID-19 at Home - Advice for Caregivers (Public Health Agency of Canada)
- How to Care for a Child with COVID-19 at Home - Advice for Caregivers (Public Health Agency of Canada)
Do the following once you are done self-isolating. You should take these extra steps for 10 days after your symptoms started:
- wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings (including school and child care) stay away from non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (playing an instrument or removing your mask for sports or dining out)
- don’t visit anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors)
- avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes
Call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line from 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday: 1 (888) 777-0730
For a total of 10 days after your last exposure to the person who has COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms, you should:
- Monitor yourself for symptoms. Self-isolate right away if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if you are eligible
- Wear a well fitted mask in all public settings, including school and child care, unless you can’t wear a mask (e.g. under 2 years old)
- If you need to remove your mask for essential activities like eating, keep as must space from others as possible
- Avoid activities where you need to remove your mask (eating out at restaurant, sports where you can’t wear a mask safely)
- Not visit anyone who is immunocompromised or at higher risk of illness (e.g., seniors);
- Avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care homes.
- If you have to visit, wear a medical mask, maintain physical distancing, and let the highest risk setting know about your recent exposure.
- Call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line from 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday: 1 (888) 777-0730
- Call a registered nurse at Health Connect Ontario (formerly TeleHealth) by dialing 811. You can also chat online.