Last revised on May 30, 2023
Masks
COVID-19 will continue to spread at different levels in our communities and some people are at higher risk for severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19.
Staying up to date with (COVID-19 and influenza) vaccines, hand washing, physical distancing, masking, and staying home when sick are measures we can continue to use in a layered approach to prevent the risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. Using layers of protection remains especially important to protect yourself if you are at higher risk or you are around people at higher risk.
Continue to assess your risk of severe illness and complications from respiratory infections, like COVID-19, and make informed decisions on using your layers of protection, including masking and physical distancing.
Use of masks
Some settings in our community, like vaccination clinics, healthcare and long-term care settings, may still require masks to protect those in our community at higher risk, so please be prepared to wear a mask if you are visiting a setting where they are required.
If you have symptoms of respiratory illness, please stay home, limit your contacts with others, and wear a mask if you need to go out to public settings. Please see our web page for more information on isolation instructions and mask recommendations when you have respiratory symptoms.
Some people may continue to wear masks, and others may not. Remember to be kind, understanding and respectful of people’s personal choices.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- Government of Canada
Contact information
Provincial Vaccine Information Line
- 7 days a week, from 8 am to 8 pm
- Call if you have questions about Ontario's COVID-19 vaccination program.
- Service is available in multiple languages.
- Telephone: 1-888-999-6488
- TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Ottawa Public Health Vaccine Booking Line
- Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Translation is available in multiple languages
- Telephone: 613-691-5505
Emergency Services
- If you are in distress (e.g., significant trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting or have a significant worsening of any chronic disease symptoms), do not go to the Assessment Centre or a COVID-19 Care clinic. Go to the nearest Emergency Department or call 9-1-1.
How to access help during COVID-19
- 211 Ontario can help you find financial and social support during COVID-19
- Telephone: 2-1-1
Related information
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