Protect Yourself and Others

Immunization is safe, effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from infectious diseases. 

Stay up to date with recommended vaccines, including:

• influenza (flu)
• COVID-19
• respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), if eligible

Vaccines can help reduce the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and complications. Talk to your healthcare provider, pharmacist or call public health.

Learn about recommended vaccines and eligibility requirements.

If you are sick, stay home if possible.

You can return to your normal activities when:

• your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had vomiting or diarrhea)
• you do not have a fever
• you are not developing new symptoms

Staying home when sick helps protect others and reduces the spread of illness.

After returning to your normal activities:

For 10 days after symptoms begin, consider taking extra precautions, such as:

• wearing a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces
• avoiding close contact with people at higher risk of serious illness
• avoiding visits to hospitals, long-term care homes, retirement homes, and other high-risk settings unless necessary
• maintaining physical distance when possible.

Handwashing is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of illness.

Wash your hands:

• before eating or preparing food
• after using the washroom
• after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
• after caring for someone who is sick

Use soap and water whenever possible. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

How to Wash Your Hands:

1. Wet your hands with clean running water.
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub your hands together for at least 15 seconds.
4. Clean between fingers, under nails, and the backs of your hands.
5. Rinse thoroughly.
6. Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer.

When coughing or sneezing:

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow
• throw used tissues into the garbage right away
• wash or sanitize your hands afterward

This helps prevent germs from spreading to other people and surfaces.

Viruses can live for 24 to 48 hours on hard surfaces such as countertops, door handles, computer keyboards and phones.

Cleaning is the physical removal of dirt and germs from a surface by wiping, scrubbing, or washing. Disinfecting on the other hand kills germs using a chemical solution.

• Some products can only be used for cleaning, some products can only be used for disinfecting, while some can be used for both. Make sure you read the instructions to understand how best to use the product

When cleaning and disinfecting, it’s important to focus on high-touch surfaces and objects in your home, especially when they’re visibly dirty or when someone in your home is sick. These are areas where germs are likely to settle

• High-touch surfaces and objects in your home may include:
  • Toys, toilets, light switches, laundry hampers, phones, television remotes, & other electronics, door handles, doorknobs, refrigerators, dishwashers, cabinets, & faucets

Depending on the product you’re using, you may need to:

• Wear protective equipment like gloves, safety glasses or goggles
• If you’re using gloves, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after you remove them. If you don’t have any soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 70% alcohol
• Open a window or use fans to move the air around. Some products need to be used in well-ventilated areas
• Make sure the product is on the object or surface for enough time for it to do its job
• Properly store and dispose of the product when you’re finished

Wear a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at higher risk of severe infection.

Masking continues to be an important layer of protection to keep you, your loved ones, and the most vulnerable in our community safe. Wearing a mask, in addition to other public health measures, can reduce the spread of these viruses and is an important measure we can use to protect ourselves and one another. 

Masks may still be expected or required in certain settings

Learn more about how to choose, use and care for masks.

Poor ventilation in indoor spaces is linked to increased transmission of respiratory infections, particularly if the space is small. Ventilation should be improved whenever possible by increasing the amount of fresh air that flows into a space to help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses indoors.

To improve the ventilation of indoor spaces, you can:

• Open windows and doors regularly when possible. If weather, safety or air quality are a concern, open doors or windows for a small amount or for a few minutes at a time.
• Use portable air cleaners/filterers.
• Use ceiling fans or portable fans positioned away from people and near open windows and doors to bring in fresh air, weather permitting.