Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How to isolate at home when you have COVID-19

You must isolate yourself for at least 14 days if you have:

• been diagnosed with COVID-19, or are waiting to hear the results of a lab test for COVID-19
• symptoms of COVID-19, even if mild
• been in contact with a suspected, probable or confirmed case of COVID-19
• been told by public health that you may have been exposed to COVID-19
• returned from travel outside Canada with symptoms of COVID-19 (mandatory)^Footnote*

Go directly home and stay at home for:

• 14 days after the onset of your first symptoms of COVID-19, provided you no longer have a fever and your other symptoms have improved
  OR
• until your Public Health Authority advises you that you are no longer at risk of spreading the virus to others

Limit contact with others

• Do not leave home unless it’s to seek medical care.
• Do not use public transportation (e.g., buses, taxis).
• Arrange to have groceries and supplies dropped off at your door to minimize contact.
• Stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home, if possible.
• If you have to be in contact with others, practice physical distancing and keep at least 2 metres between yourself and the other person. Keep interactions brief and wear a face mask.
• Avoid contact with individuals with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults.
• Avoid contact with pets if you live with other people that may also be touching the pet.

Keep your hands clean

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and dry with disposable paper towels or dry reusable towel, replacing it when it becomes wet.
• You can also remove dirt with a wet wipe and then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm or into a tissue.

Avoid contaminating common items and surfaces

• At least once daily, clean and disinfect surfaces that you touch often, like toilets, bedside tables, doorknobs, phones and television remotes.
• Do not share personal items with others, such as toothbrushes, towels, bed linen, utensils or electronic devices.
• To disinfect, use only approved hard-surface disinfectants that have a Drug Identification Number (DIN). A DIN is an 8-digit number given by Health Canada that confirms the disinfectant product is approved and safe for use in Canada.
• Place contaminated items that cannot be cleaned in a lined container, secure the contents and dispose of them with other household waste.
• Put the lid of the toilet down before flushing.

Care for yourself

• Monitor your symptoms as directed by your health care provider or public health authority.
• If your symptoms get worse, immediately contact your health care provider or public health authority and follow their instructions.
• Get some rest, eat a balanced diet and stay in touch with others through communication devices.
• Stay at home for:
  • 14 days after the onset of your first symptoms of COVID-19, provided you no longer have a fever and your other symptoms have improved
    OR
  • until your public health authority advises you that you are no longer at risk of spreading the virus to others

Supplies to have at home when isolating

• Face masks (do not re-use)
• Eye protection (face shield or goggles) for use by caregiver
• Disposable gloves (do not re-use) for use by caregiver
• Disposable paper towels
• Tissues
• Waste container with plastic liner
• Thermometer
• Over the counter medication to reduce fever (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen)
• Running water
• Hand soap
• Alcohol-based sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• Dish soap
• Regular laundry soap
• Regular household cleaning products
• Hard-surface disinfectant, or if not available, concentrated (5%) liquid bleach and a separate container for dilution
• Alcohol prep wipes
• Arrange to have your groceries delivered to you