Multilingual Resources for Diverse Communities

Last revised on September 23, 2022

For more information on how to book a bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/COVID19Vaccine

If you have questions about the COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine visit OttawaPublicHealth.ca/FAQVaccine

This page provides accurate, reliable and up-to-date COVID-19 resources to our local diverse communities in many languages. Some are translations of resources developed by Ottawa Public Health. Others are resources from provincial or federal organizations. These resources add to information on the Ottawa Public Health COVID-19 website. 

On this page:

Resources

Accessing COVID-19 Antiviral Treatment in Ottawa

These documents are currently not in an accessible format. Accessible documents will be posted shortly.

LanguageResource

Arabic ( العربية )

كيفية الحصول على علاج كوفيد-۱۹
 (pdf - 501 KB) المضاد للفيروسات في أوتاوا

Simplified Chinese 中文 (简体)

在渥太华获得新冠 COVID-19
抗病毒治疗 (pdf - 503 KB) 

Somali (Soomaali)

Helitaanka Daaweynta Fayruska COVID-19 Ottawa (pdf - 377 KB)

Beat the Heat 

Download our Beat the Heat Factsheet

LanguageResource

English

Beat the Heat Factsheet 2022 (pdf - 229 KB)

Français (French)

Combattez la chaleur cet été 2022 

Arabic ( العربية )

تغلب على موجات الحر الشديد خالل سنة 2022 (pdf - 321 KB)

Simplified Chinese 中文 (简体)

战胜2022年高温 (pdf - 306 KB)

Somali (Soomaali)

Ka-adkow Kuleylka 2022 (pdf - 272 KB)

Spanish (Español)

Cómo vencer el calor en 2022 (pdf - 263 KB)

Nepali (नेपाली)

२०२२ को गर्मीलाईहराउ (pdf - 292 KB)

Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ)

ਗਰਮੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਚਾਓ ਕਰੋ2022 (pdf - 250 KB)

Healthy Ramadan during COVID-19

LanguageResource

English

Healthy Ramadan during COVID-19 (pdf - 1 MB)

Français (French)

Un Ramadan sain pendant la COVID-19 (pdf - 2 MB)

Arabic ( العربية )

 (pdf - 1 MB) رمضان صحي أثناء كوفيد-۱۹

Bengali

কোভিড-১৯ সময় কালীন স্বাস্থ্যকর রামজান (pdf - 2 MB)

Source: Canadian COVID-19 Task Force (CMCTF)

mRNA Vaccine Handout

LanguageResource

English

Same Difference: MODERNA VS. PFIZER (pdf - 419KB)

Français (French)

Même différence : MODERNA C. PFIZER (pdf - 330 KB) 

Arabic ( العربية )

مقارنة بين لقاحي فايزر و مودرنا (pdf - 89 KB)

Simplified Chinese 中文 (简体)

莫德纳 和辉瑞 COVID-19 疫苗的区别 (pdf - 427 KB)

Somali (Soomaali)

 Isku mid ahaanshaha: MODERNA iyo PFIZER (pdf  - 70 KB)

Spanish (Español)

 Misma diferencia: MODERNA y PFIZER (pdf - 408 KB)

What to do after getting tested for COVID-19

Download and follow the instructions in this factsheet: 

LanguageResource

English

Tested for COVID-19, what now handout

Français (French)

APRÈS LE DÉPISTAGE...

Arabic ( العربية )

تم فحصك، فماذا الآن؟ [pdf - 835 KB]

Simplified Chinese 中文 (简体)

已接受检测,接下来怎么做?多语言版本 [pdf - 898 KB]

Somali (Soomaali)

KADIB BAARISTA, MAXAA XIGGAA HADDA? LUUQADO KALADUWAN [pdf - 696 KB]

Spanish (Español)

 ¿QUÉ SIGUE DESPUÉS DE LA PRUEBA DE COVID? [pdf - 641 KB]
Examples of close contact
Examples of close contact
LanguageResources
English

Who is a close contact? (pdf - 941 KB)

Français

Qu'est-ce qu'un contact étroite? (pdf - 942 KB)

Arabic (العربية) تعريف حالة الإتصال الوثيق؟
Somali (Soomaali)

WAAKEE KULANKA ISKU DHAWAANSHAHA? (pdf - 941 KB)

Mental health resources and services 

It's normal for situations like novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to affect your mental health. Everyone will experience these events in their own way. It is completely natural to feel stress and concern during these times, so it is important to practice positive coping strategies.

Resources and services for newcomer and diverse population

Multilingual mental health supports are also available on the Multilingual Mental Health Resources for Diverse Communities webpage.

For information on how to cope with and reduce stress and anxiety, how to talk to your children about COVID-19 and how to support yourself as well as your loved ones' mental health, please visit our Mental Health and COVID-19 webpage. Here you will also find a list resources and services for newcomer and diverse populations

Masks

Masks add protection when physical distancing is difficult and can help protect others. Even if you wear a mask, be sure to practice physical distancing, hand washing and monitoring your health. 

For more information visit the Ottawa Public Health Masks page.

Practice physical distancing, wear a mask poster  

Language

Resources

English

Practice physical distancing, wear a mask

Français (French)

Pratiquer la distanciation physique, portez un masque

العربية (Arabic)

قائمة حقائق التباعد الاجتماعي

中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese)

人与人之间保持距离

Haitian Creole

Pratike distansyasyon fizik, Mete yon mas

Ikirundi (Kirundi)  Itangazo: Wame Witwararika Gusiga Umwanya hagati Yawe n’Abo Muri Kumwe, Ambara Agafukamunwa 
Lingála (Lingala)  Salela distance kati ya bato, Lata masike – Pancarte
Soomaali (Somali)

Ku dhaqan Ka fogaanshaha Jir ahaanta, Xiro Boostarka Maaskaraha 

Español (Spanish) Ficha informativa sobre distanciamiento físico 
Safely putting on and taking off a mask fact sheet/poster

Language

Resources

English

Safety putting on and taking off a non-medical mask (i.e. cloth mask)

Français (French)

Mettre et enlever un masque non médical (c.-à-d. un masque en tissu) de façon sécuritaire

العربية (Arabic)

 (ارتداء وخلع القناع غير الطبي بشكل آمن (أي القناع القماشي 

中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese)

安全地戴上和摘下非医用口罩 (也即布口罩)

فارسی (Farsi)

 (نحوه صحیح پوشیدن و درآوردن ماسک غیرپزشکی (یا ماسک پارچه‌ای

नेपाली Nepalese ननमेडिकलमास्क (कपडाकोमास्क) लगाउनेरखोल्नेसुरक्षिततरिका
Soomaali (Somali) Xirashada iyo iska bixinta  maaskaraha aan caafimaadka loogu tala galin (tusaale Maaskaraha marada ah)
Español (Spanish) Cómo colocarse y quitarse un tapabocas de forma segura (por ejemplo, una mascarilla de tela)
Mask required poster

Mask required poster with a heading in multiple languages, including Inuktitut is available to print and post in public spaces (a bilingual version is also available):

Language

Resources

English

Mask required

Français (French)

Masque obligatoire

العربية (Arabic)

 الأقنعة إجبارية

中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese)

强制戴口罩

Español (Spanish) Mascarillas obligatorias
Inuktitut ᑮᓇᑉᐸᖅᐊᑐᕐᑕᐅᒋᐊᓕᒃ

Hand washing and hand sanitizing 

Hand hygiene is the most important way to prevent you and others from getting sick due to an infection. Hand hygiene means to keep your hands clean by washing them often with soap and water or by using a hand sanitizer. Good hand hygiene is essential to reduce the spread of infection in your home, day cares, schools, work, stores, buses and trains, elevators and other public places.

More information and resources on how to prevent the spread of germs are available on our Stop the Spread of Germs page.

Hand washing poster

Language

Resources

English

Hand washing poster - Ottawa Public Health

Français (French)

Affiche sur lavage des mains - Santé publique Ottawa

العربية (Arabic)

ملصقة غسل اليدين وقائمة الحقائق – صحة أوتاوا العامة

中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese)

洗手海报 – 渥太华公共卫生局

中文 (繁體) (Traditional Chinese)

洗手海報 – 渥太華衛生局

فارسی (Farsi)

پوستر و گزاره‌برگ شستن دست - بهداشت عمومی اونتاریو

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi)

ਹੱਥ ਧੋਣ ਬਾਬਤ ਪੋਸਟਰ – ਓਟਾਵਾ ਪਬਲਿਕ ਹੈਲਥ
Soomaali (Somali) Boorka gacmo dhaqashada iyo xaanshida xaqiiqada – Caafimaadka Bulshada Ottawa
Español (Spanish) Cartel y hoja informativa sobre lavarse las manos – Salud Pública Ottawa
Tagalog Poster ng paghuhugas ng kamay - Pampublikong Kalusugan ng Ottawa 
தமிழ் (Tamil) கை கழுவுதல் சுவரொட்டி - ஒட்டாவா பொது சுகாதாரம்
اُردُو‎ (Urdu)  ہاتھ دھونے کے متعلق پوسٹر – اوٹاوا پبلک ہیلتھ
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) Poster về rửa tay – Sở Y Tế Ottawa
Hand sanitizing poster

Language

Resources

English

Hand sanitizing poster - Ottawa Public Health

Français (French)

Affiche sur la désinfection des mains - Santé publique Ottawa

العربية (Arabic)

ملصقة تعقيم اليدين وقائمة الحقائق – صحة أوتاوا العامة

中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese)

手部消毒海报 – 渥太华公共卫生局

中文 (繁體) (Traditional Chinese)

手部清潔海報 - 渥太華衛生局

فارسی (Farsi)

پوستر و گزاره‌برگ ضدعفونی کردن دست - بهداشت عمومی اونتاریو

ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi)

ਹੱਥ ਕੀਟਾਣੂੰ-ਮੁਕਤ ਕਰਨ ਬਾਬਤ ਪੋਸਟਰ – ਓਟਾਵਾ ਪਬਲਿਕ ਹੈਲਥ
 Soomaali (Somali) Boorka jeermisdilka gacmaha iyo xaanshida xaqiiqaha - Caafimaadka Bulshada Ottawa
 Español (Spanish) Cartel y hoja informativa sobre desinfección de manos – Salud Pública Ottawa
Tagalog Poster ng pag-sanitize ng kamay - Pampublikong Kalusugan ng Ottawa
தமிழ் (Tamil) கை தூய்மைப்படுத்தல் சுவரொட்டி - ஒட்டாவா பொது சுகாதாரம்
اُردُو‎ (Urdu)  ہاتھ سینیٹائز کرنے کے متعلق پوسٹر – اوٹاوا پبلک ہیلتھ
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) Poster về sát trùng tay - Sở Y Tế Ottawa

Cough etiquette

To stop the spread of germs that can make others sick, you should always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and put your used tissue in a waste basket. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hand.

More information and resources on cough etiquette are on Stop the Spread of Germs page.

Cough etiquette poster
LanguagesResources
English Ottawa Public Health - Cover your cough
Français (French) Affiche sur couvrir sa toux - Santé publique Ottawa
العربية (Arabic) ملصق قواعد السعال وقائمة الحقائق – صحة أوتاوا العامة
中文 (简体) (Simplified Chinese) 咳嗽礼仪海报 – 渥太华公共卫生局 
中文 (繁體) (Traditional Chinese) 咳嗽禮儀海報 - 渥太華衛生局
فارسی (Farsi) پوستر و گزاره‌برگ آداب سرفه کردن - بهداشت عمومی اونتاریو
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ (Punjabi) ਖੰਘਣਦੇਸਲੀਕੇਬਾਬਤਪੋਸਟਰ– ਓਟਾਵਾਪਬਲਿਕਹੈਲਥ
Soomaali (Somali) Boorka edaabta qufaca iyo xaanshida xaqiiqaha - Caafimaadka Bulshada Ottawa
Español (Spanish) Cartel y hoja informativa sobre instrucciones al toser – Salud Pública Ottawa
Tagalog Poster ng tamang pag-ubo - Pampublikong Kalusugan ng Ottawa
தமிழ் (Tamil) இருமும்போது பின்பற்ற வேண்டிய விதிமுறைகள் சுவரொட்டி- ஒட்டாவா பொது சுகாதாரம்
اُردُو‎ (Urdu) کھانسی کرنے کے طریقے کے متعلق پوسٹر – اوٹاوا پبلک ہیلتھ
Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) Poster về cách thức ho - Sở Y Tế Ottawa

 

Self-isolation

Self-isolation means staying at home when you are sick with symptoms of COVID-19. This means you separate yourself from others, including from the people you live with, as much as possible. The purpose of self-isolation is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others in your home and your community. 

Please see Self-Isolation Instructions for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage by Ottawa Public Health for information. 

Food and grocery shopping

Ottawa Public Health has information on Grocery Shopping, Meal Planning, and Cooking During COVID-19

For businesses and workplaces

Please consult the Businesses, Workplaces and Community Organizations web page for resources that are intended to provide guidance and support during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Multi-unit dwelling

Ottawa Public Health provides information and recommendations for people living in apartment buildings and shared accommodations.

Multi-unit dwelling resources

Language

Resources

العربية (Arabic)

استخدام مرافق الغسيل المشتركة خلال الجائحة 

English  Using shared laundry facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic poster - National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health

English 

Living in shared accommodations & COVID-19

 

Somali, Arabic and Chinese Hub pages 

Somali Hub - Ottawa Public Health

Arabic Hub - Ottawa Public Health

Chinese Hub - Ottawa Public Health

Government of Canada - Awareness Resources

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Awareness resources

  • Languages chosen were based off of 2016 Census results. They are: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Punjabi, Tagalog, Spanish, Arabic, Urdu, Farsi, Vietnamese, Korean, Tamil, Hindi, Cree (Plains Cree) and Ojibwe Eastern.

Back to the top

Multilingual videos

Deciding to vaccinate your child against COVID-19 – Help from Ottawa paediatric doctors

English: Deciding to vaccinate your child against COVID-19 - Help from an Ottawa paediatric doctor - YouTube 

Français (French) : Décidez-vous de vacciner votre enfant contre la COVID-19? - L'aide d'une pédiatre d'Ottawa - YouTube

Arabic: You tube - تحتاج أن تقرر بخصوص تلقيح طفلك ضد كوفيد-۱۹ ؟ شاهد هذا الفيديو لأخصائية أطفال بأوتاوا 

Farsi: You tube - هستید COVID-19 چنانچه در حال تصمیم گیری برای انجام واکسیناسیون کودک خود در مقابل 

Español (Spanish): Decidir a vacunar a su hijo contra el COVID-19 – Ayuda de una pediatra de Ottawa - YouTube

Real Doctors answer your COVID-19 questions in your language
Real Doctors answer your COVID-19 questions in your language
LanguagesDoctor's nameTitle
العربية (Arabic) Dr Cherif Ibrahim  أطباء حقيقيون يجيبون على أسئلتكم حول لقاح كوفيد-۱۹بلغتكم - YouTube 
Cantonese Dr Tracy Wong 您身邊的醫生用您的語言回答 COVID-19 疫苗問題 - YouTube
Français (French) Dr Andree Michelle Cortel-Leblanc Des médecins répondent à vos questions concernant les vaccins contre la COVID-19 dans votre langue - YouTube
हिंदी (Hindi) Dr Karan Sharma Real Doctors Answer Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions -  YouTube
Punjabi Dr Ramandeep Chawla ਕੋਵਿਦ-੧੯ ਵੈਕਸੀਨ ਦੇ ਬਾਰੇ ਵਿਚ ਕੁਛ ਸਵਾਲ ਜਵਾਬ ਤੁਹਾਡੀ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ ਦੇ ਵਿਚ ਦੇਣਗੇ ਅਸਲੀ ਡਾਕਟਰ - YouTube 
Turkish Dr Berna Akcakir Real Doctors Answer Your COVID-19 Vaccine Questions - YouTube
Español (Spanish) Dr Christina Romulus Doctores de verdad responden a preguntas sobre vacunas contra COVID-19 en vuestro propio idioma. - YouTube
Español (Spanish) Dr Miguel Cortel-Leblanc Doctores de verdad responden a preguntas sobre vacunas contra COVID-19 en vuestro propio idioma. - YouTube
 
5 to 11 COVID-19 Vaccination – Parent testimonials

English: Why I chose to vaccinated my 5 to 11-year-old child against COVID-19 - Rana's story

English: Why we chose to vaccinate our children - Anita and Michael's story

Français : Pourquoi j'ai choisi de vacciner mon enfant de 5 à 11 ans - L’histoire de Nenette

Somali: Maxaa aan utallalay ilmayhaga 5 ilaa 11 jirka ah - Marian's story

English and Nigerian: Why we been decide make we vaccinate our pikin - Anita and Michael's story

Lingala: Ponanini nazuaki likanisi yako mema bana na ngai ya 5 to 11 bazua mangwele - Nenette's story

لماذا اخترت تطعيم طفلي

COVID-19 vaccine stories

Darren Sutherland's story 

Professor Kiringa's story (available in Lingala)

Randa's story (available in Tunisian)

Hannah's story (available in Somali)

Félicité's story (available in French and Kinyarwanda)

Eugene's story (available in Swahili)

Imam's story (available in Arabic)

Dr. Ralph Dartey's story (available in Ashante Twi)

Hatim's Story (available in Arabic)

Newcomer Health Series
Videos about the COVID-19 vaccines

Why I am choosing the vaccine

Pourquoi je choisis de me faire vaccine

لماذا أختار أخذ اللقاح

Waa maxay sababta aan u dooranayo in aan is tallaalo

为什么我选择接种疫苗

मैले खोप लगाउने निधो किन गरें

COVID-19 vaccine myths videos

COVID-19 Vaccine myths

Dispelling the most common COVID-19 vaccine myths and conspiracy theories (English only)

Toute la vérité sur les mythes démystifié

19 الأفكار الخاطئة حول لقاح كوفيد

Khuraafaadka tallaalka COVID-19

COVID 19 疫苗神话

 

Multilingual mental health videos

Please watch these videos for ideas of ways to support your mental health and that of your loved ones. These videos are available in English, French, Arabic, Mandarin and Somali.

Staying safe during COVID-19 multilingual videos

Let's keep each other safe multilingual videos

Let's keep each other safe videos shows ways we can support our loved ones while respecting COVID guidelines and keeping each other safe. Videos were created and produced by the Centre for Resilience and Social Development (CRSD) with support from OPH.

Let's Keep Each Other Safe videos are available in English, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Nepali and Somali.

Staying safe during COVID-19 multilingual videos

Are you looking for ways to help stop the spread of the COVID-19? Please watch these videos to learn about steps you and your family can take to stay safe. These videos which are available in English, French, Somali, Arabic and Mandarin.

COVID-19 can infect anyone. Learn what you can do to stop the spread of the COVID-19. 

 

La COVID-19 peut toucher tout le monde. Vous jouez un rôle important dans l’arrêt de la propagation de la COVID-19. 

 

كوفيد 19 يمكن ان يصيب اي شخص. انك تلعب دوراً مهماً في وقف انتشار هذا الوباء.من خلال غسل اليدين مراراً لمدة 20 ثانية على الأقل، و تجنب لمس وجهك 

 

 

新冠病毒能感染任何人,每个人在防止新冠狀病毒的傳播上都扮演着重要的角色 

 

 

Qofkasta ayaa qaadi kara Coronavirus.  Waa muhihiim in aad ogaatid waxyaabaha aad ku yarayn kartid fiditaanka coronavirus 

 

Why I wear a mask multilingual videos

We all have reasons for wearing a mask. Watch and listen to real people and their reasons for wearing a mask. Videos were created and produced by the Centre for Resilience and Social Development (CRSD) with a support from Ottawa Public Health.   

Why I Wear a Mask videos are available on YouTube in English, French, Arabic, Mandarin and Somali. 

Mandatory mask multilingual videos

Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces. Refugee 613, together with OPH, created a series of multilingual videos, explaining where and when to wear them. 

Mandatory mask videos are available on YouTube in these languages: Arabic, English, French, Farsi, Hindi, Nepalese, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

Navigating faith during a pandemic videos

Navigating faith during a pandemic videos are available in English, French, Arabic and Somali and describe how prayer practices in Mosques needed to adapt to COVID guidelines in order to keep everyone safe. Videos were created and produced by the Centre for Resilience and Social Development (CRSD) with support from OPH.

Back to the top

Calendar of events 

Take a look at our Calendar of events for information sessions on COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines, in multiple languages.

Back to the top

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

Contact Us