The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is reminding the public making smart choices now — as the warm weather and summer approaches — can help prevent further shutdowns.
According to the Health Unit, this means you should not be travelling to cottages and camps, except for essential reasons.
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"We are just over a week away from the unofficial start to summer — the May long weekend —however, this does not mark the end to COVID-19," said Director of Community Services Louise Gagne during the Health Unit's media availability, Thursday.
"Many people look forward to the May long weekend as a time to celebrate the warmer weather with others, but everyone needs to make sure these plans are COVID-19 safe," states Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health. "COVID-19 safe means to only gather with people from your own home, or if you live alone, only gather with your exclusive close contact home. By making the smart choices now, we can help prevent a shutdown over the summer."
Public health measures include:
- Remaining at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), exercising outdoors, or for work that cannot be done remotely.
- Practicing physical distancing – staying two metres from others who do not reside in your home or where you are living, and if you live alone, physically distancing from anyone outside your exclusive close contact home.
- Wearing a face covering indoors and outdoors as required and whenever physical distancing is difficult.
- Washing or sanitizing your hands often.
- Coughing and sneezing into your sleeve.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Cleaning high-touch objects and surfaces often.
If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, first self-isolate and then use Ontario's Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek testing or further care. If you need further assistance, call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-844-478-1400. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your symptoms if you are able.
Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
For more information, please visit myhealthunit.ca/COVID-19.
