Multilingual Resources for Diverse Communities During COVID-19

What You Need to Know About COVID-19

Ottawa Public Health developed a fact-sheet on important key messages about COVID-19, including symptoms, general facts, self-isolation, how to avoid the spread of the virus and what to do if you get the virus.

COVID-19 Information Sheets

The Government of Canada has following multilingual information sheets: 

• Know the Facts About COVID-19

• People who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19

• How to care for a person with COVID-19 at home:  Advice for caregivers

• How to quarantine (self-isolate) at home when you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms 

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.

Staying Safe During COVID-19 Multilingual Videos

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 

COVID-19 Screening Tools

COVID-19 Screening Tool for School and Childcare

COVID-19 Employee Self-Screening Questionnaire

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.

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.

Multilingual COVID-19 and Mental Health Fact Sheet

The COVID-19 pandemic is a very difficult time for many of us. It is normal to feel stressed and worried. Please know that there is help available in our community. Please see our fact sheet that lists community supports and tips on things you can do to help your family. The fact sheets are available in English, French, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Somali, and Spanish.

Resources and Services for Newcomer and Diverse Population

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.

Physical Distancing

In order to decrease spread of COVID-19 in Ottawa, Ottawa Public Health recommends that all residents practice physical distancing, 2 metres or 6 feet apart. Physical distancing means taking steps to limit the number of people you come in close contact with. This will help to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

For more information, visit the Physical Distancing page.

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.

Multilingual Mandatory Mask Videos

Masks are mandatory in indoor public spaces, so Refugee 613, together with Ottawa Public Health, created a series of multilingual videos, explaining where and when to wear them. When we all get critical information in the languages we use most, it is easier to make informed decisions about our health and well-being during COVID-19.

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

Practice Physical Distancing, Wear a Mask Poster  

By-law 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):

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.

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.

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. 

Resources

• How to quarantine (self-isolate) at home when you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms - Government of Canada (Available in many languages. Click on “please select language” on the right-hand side of the page to access the resource.)
• Self-Isolation Handout for Workers in Health Care Facilities and Institutions - Ottawa Public Health 

Food and Grocery Shopping

Ottawa Public Health has information on Grocery Shopping, Meal Planning, and Cooking During COVID-19. Information and resources are also provided by community agencies working to ensure residents have access to food during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource is called Fact Sheet on Food Resources for Isolated Seniors. When it is necessary to go to a store for essentials, always practice physical distancing. Use this physical distancing shopping etiquette infographic as a guide when going to a store.

For Businesses and Workplaces

In consultation with Ottawa Public Health, the City of Ottawa has developed the “Business Reopening Toolkit” to provide additional guidance to businesses to prepare for safe reopening. Visit Ottawa.ca/BusinessToolkit for more information. 

Some resources in this toolkit have been translated to several other languages to ensure your employees and customers are safe and employees are ready to work.

Practice Physical Distancing Poster

Physical distancing involves taking steps to limit the number of people you come into close contact with. Please place this poster in your workplace or business to help to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Employee Self-Screening Questionnaire

This questionnaire helps to review any symptoms or recent history to ensure your employee’s health before each work shift, and to help keep your workplace safe. 

Hand Washing and Hand Sanitizing Posters for Businesses and Workplaces

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,  daycares, schools, work, stores, buses and trains, elevators, and all other public places.

More information and resources on hand washing and hand sanitizing posters. 

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

This infographic, by Indus Community services, provides the basic steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Multi-Unit Dwelling

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