COVID-19 Information for Community Partners and Service Providers

Last revised on April 5, 2022 

Get email updates in your inbox. 

Sign up for OPH's Community Operations Newsletter.

Public health measures, advice and restrictions for Places of Worship

Places of Worship are responsible for complying with the provisions set out in the applicable Regulation(s) under the Provincial Reopening Ontario Act, 2020 and O. Reg. 364/20 Rules for Areas at Step 3 and at the Roadmap Exit Step.

Given the latest Provincial direction, restrictions have been lifted in most settings. However, the measures that have decreased the transmission of COVID-19 are still relevant and important, even when they are not mandatory. Ottawa Public Health continues to encourage public health measures as these help reduce transmission of COVID-19 (as well as other respiratory viruses) and the risk to those more likely to experience severe disease from COVID-19.

Places of Worship should review all activities, rituals, and practices that occur to determine if they increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19, or other viruses and infections amongst attendees, staff, and/or volunteers. Any activity or practice that increases the risk of transmission through contact (e.g., touching surfaces or objects such as drinking from a shared chalice or cup) or droplet transmission (e.g., sneezing, coughing, singing, shouting) should be reviewed.

Reducing the risk of exposure, transmission and severe outcomes

When making decisions about which activities to participate in, each individual needs to assess their own risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 as well as of those around them. We are all encouraged to use the layers of protection accordingly. Below are some of the key layers of protection we can continue to put into practice to reduce the risk of transmission, infection and severe outcomes from COVID-19:

Self-assessment, monitoring for symptoms and staying home when sick:

• Before visiting others or attending an event/place of worship, individuals should assess their own level of risk, and the risk of those they live and interact with.
  • For those who have any symptoms of COVID-19, they can refer to the infographic found here: You have SYMPTOMS and are concerned you may have COVID-19. Now what?
  • For those who have symptoms, test positive or are close contacts, the latest Provincial isolation requirements can be found on OPH’s page: Information for those who have symptoms, test positive for COVID-19 and high-risk contacts
• The provincial self-assessment is a useful tool to complete for those who were exposed to COVID-19, have symptoms, or for general screening and can be found here: covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/
• For those who may suspect they have COVID-19, care clinics in Ottawa continue to provide assessment, testing if eligible, and timely access to COVID-19 treatment. For more information on treatment and how to access testing, visit: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVIDTesting

Vaccination:

• We highly recommend Ottawa residents to get vaccinated with all the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that you are eligible for as soon as possible. Compared to two doses, a third dose provides stronger protection against hospitalization, as well as symptomatic infection. For some at higher risk, a fourth dose is needed.
• Visit our website OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Covid19Vaccine regularly for the latest information on vaccine eligibility and to stay up to date.

Masking:

• Residents are highly recommended to continue to continue wearing a mask indoors especially when physical distancing may not be possible or proves to be challenging in crowded areas. For more information, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Masks.
• It's important to remember that wearing a mask is something we can all do to help to protect those who remain at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
• Some individuals may choose to keep wearing masks in places where they are not mandatory; please be kind and respectful of others’ choices.
• Masking continues to be required in the following situations:
  • Provincial regulations state that masks must still be worn in the following settings: public transit, long-term care and retirement homes, health care settings (including hospitals and public health clinics), shelters, congregate care settings, and correctional and detention centres
  • Under current federal travel requirements, upon return from international travel, individuals that are exempt from quarantine must wear a mask at all times when in public spaces (including schools and child care) for their first 14 days in Canada.
    • Important: The travel guidelines are set by the federal government and are continuously changing. Please check for current federal information here: COVID-19 Travel: Checklists for requirements and exemptions, and direct any questions to the federal COVID-19 information line at 1-833-784-4391 or phac.covid19.aspc@canada.ca. 
  • Individuals who have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 5 to 10 days and wear a well-fitting mask in all public settings for a total of 10 days (see webpage: Self-isolation for people who have symptoms or test positive)
  • Although isolation requirements have changed for close contacts, household and non-household, contacts are required to wear a mask for a total of 10 days, which may or may not include isolation (see webpage: People who are contacts of someone who tests positive for COVID-19)

Increasing ventilation:

• Poor ventilation in indoor spaces is linked to increased transmission of respiratory infections, particularly if the airspace is small.
• Ventilation with fresh air should be improved whenever possible, e.g., bringing in more fresh air through a properly maintained ventilation system or by opening windows and doors.
• For more information, visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Socialwise.

Cleaning and disinfection:

• Frequent hand washing and readily available hand hygiene supplies are a key control measure for all in attendance. For more information, visit OPH’s Stop the Spread of Germs webpage
• Commonly touched surfaces and items should be cleaned and disinfected frequently to limit the potential spread of germs. For more information, please refer to: Public Health Ontario’s Environmental Cleaning fact sheet and OPH’s Cleaning and disinfection checklist.   

Other measures and resources:

• OPH’s Guidance for Social Gatherings continues to be updated to reflect current Provincial requirements and includes many resources for those organizing and attending events and gatherings: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/Socialwise.
• For events where food is served (including communion), organizers are encouraged to use disposable table covers, plates, cups and cutlery, as well as tongs or serving utensils to serve food to avoid direct hand contact. For more information please visit our Food safety website.
• Attendees are also encouraged to avoid shaking hands with other attendees where possible.
• Where possible, attendees are encouraged to bring a personal prayer mat for their own safety and the safety of others.

Ottawa Public Health recently launched a new webpage: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/RiskReduction, it was developed to support the community in assessing their level of risk of severe outcomes and how to choose their layers of protection accordingly.

Mental Health Resources

This period of transition of easing of measures and learning to live with and manage COVID-19 may be difficult for many. The change and uncertainty of the pandemic can be difficult to cope with. Support is available. Ottawa residents and families can access mental health, substance use and COVID-19 resources on this webpage: OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVIDMentalHealth. OPH has also developed help support the mental health and wellness of employers and employees in the workplace, which can be found here: Working Towards Recovery: Workplace Health and Wellness Guide.

Childcare and children’s programming

• Any childcare and children’s programming should operate in a manner consistent with provincial requirements. For more information please visit OPH’s Supporting Child Care and Early Years during COVID-19.