COVID-19 Self-Isolation Information
Last updated: 10:00 a.m. EST, Dec. 1, 2020
A Provincial State of Emergency and Stay-at-Home order is currently in effect for the Province of Ontario. Learn more about restrictions and orders in place.
What is self-isolation?
Self-isolation is when you have been instructed to separate yourself from others, including those within your home, with the purpose of stopping the spread of the virus. If you are ill, you should be separated from others in your household to the greatest extent possible.
Who needs to self-isolate?
At this time, the recommendations and directions are as follows.
- If you have travelled anywhere outside of Canada (including the United States of America), you must self-isolate for 14 days.
- The Government of Canada has put in place emergency measures that require mandatory 14-day self-isolation for all persons entering Canada, even if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
- There are a few exceptions, please see Public Health Agency of Canada's latest instructions for travellers.
You should also self-isolate if you:
- are in an at-risk group (please click on the link for a list of different at-risk groups)
- think you have symptoms of COVID-19
- think you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or who has recently returned from travel.
The self-isolation instructions vary for each person's situation. Which one of the following statements best describes your situation?
Do I have to self-isolate?
If you have been told to self-isolate by public health or a healthcare provider, you are required to do so. On November 29, 2020, the Huron Perth Medical Officer of Health issued a Class Order under Section 22 of Ontario’s Health Protection and Promotion Act (PDF). The Order is a legal measure that authorizes the health unit to enforce individual compliance with public health instructions. The key focus of this Order is to ensure people who have been told to self-isolate by public health or a health care provider are doing so. Those who do not comply can be given a ticket under the Reopening Ontario Act with a fine of $750 per day. Individuals could be charged and fined up to $5,000 per day under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. This Class Order takes effect at 12:01 Sunday, November 29, 2020.
I have recently travelled outside of Canada (including the United States of America) |
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I am sick and being sent for testing for COVID-19 |
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I'm being tested due to having had close contact with a positive case of COVID-19 |
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I am not sick but being tested due to the nature of my work (essential worker, etc.) |
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I am not sick but a household member/close contact is sick and being sent for testing. |
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I am not sick but a household member/close contact has had a high-risk exposure with a positive case, and is being tested. |
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I am not sick and neither is my household member/close contact, but they are being tested due to the nature of their work (e.g. essential worker). |
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I am not sick and I am a household contact of a healthcare worker who is not sick but is being tested for COVID-19. |
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General Self Isolation Guidelines |
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I have not been instructed to self-isolate but would like to as a precaution. |
We encourage all residents to practice physical distancing and practice good hand hygiene to stop the spread of germs. |
I have been told to self-monitor. |
If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911 immediately. Advise them of your symptoms, travel history, or exposure risks. |
What if I see someone not practicing self-isolation? |
As of March 26, an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act requires any person entering Canada by air, sea or land to self-isolate for 14 days whether or not they have symptoms of COVID-19. There are a few exceptions, please see Public Health Agency of Canada's latest instructions for travellers. If you have a concern about people who are not self-isolating when returning from affected areas, contact your local police force. If you are concerned about a person's actions, we encourage you to have a kind and respectful conversation with that person and remind them about the current recommendations for stopping the spread of COVID-19 in our community. You can direct them to our website for the latest recommendations. |
For further information:
- Self-isolation after COVID-19 Testing. Huron Perth Public Health, October 2020.
- COVID-19: How to self-monitor. Public Health Ontario, February 2020.
- COVID-19: How to self-isolate. Public Health Ontario, December 2020.
- COVID-19: Self-isolation - Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts. Public Health Ontario, February 2020.
- Online COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool (Ontario Ministry of Health)
See additional resources on our COVID-19 Response Resources page.