Daily Life as Public Health Measures are Lifted

Daily Life as Public Health Measures are Lifted

In Canada and the United States, certain public health measures are gradually being lifted as the spread of COVID-19 slows. Your local government may also be making decisions to lift or change public health measures depending on the level of COVID-19 transmission in your community. Please refer to recommendations and guidelines of the local public health authorities in your jurisdiction. 

Helpful General Tips1,2
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • If available, use online services (e.g. paying online).
  • Maintain physical (social) distancing. You may wear a non-medical mask or face covering if you are unable to consistently maintain 2 metres or 6 feet from others.
  • Before going to a business or service, learn about the preventative  measures they are using (e.g. the use of non-medical masks, curbside pick-up, plexiglass barriers).
  • Continue to practice personal preventative measures (e.g. good hand washing practices; cleaning and disinfecting surfaces; covering sneezes and coughs).
  • When going outside, helpful items to have on hand include: non-medical mask/face covering, tissues, and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Follow specific public health guidelines in your jurisdiction.

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Public Health Agency of Canada
  • Local public health advice should continue to be followed in public settings 
  • Always wash your hands and cover sneezes and coughs 
  • Improving ventilation or moving to an outside setting can be used to reduce your risk 
  • If you are at higher risk for more severe disease or outcomes, masks and physical distancing are recommended as additional protection  
  • Do not be in close contact with others if you experience COVID-19 symptoms, even if you are fully vaccinated 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?  

  • Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna: 2 or more weeks after receiving the second dose  
  • Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen: 2 or more weeks after receiving the vaccine dose  

In general, fully vaccinated people can:  

  • Partake in indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a mask and without participating in physical distancing. This does not apply when mask usage and physical distancing are required by federal, state, or local law.  
  • Travel domestically  
  • Travel internationally under certain conditions  
  • Refrain from quarantine in certain instances  

If you are fully vaccinated and experience COVID-19 symptoms, you should still get tested and self-isolate.  

Immunocompromised individuals who are fully vaccinated should continue to follow current public health measures (for example mask usage and physical distancing).

World Health Organization (WHO)

It is recommended to continue taking precautions even after full vaccination is achieved in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These precautions include: 

  • Remaining at least 1 meter away from others 
  • Wearing a mask, particularly in poorly ventilated, crowded & closed settings 
  • Ensuring ventilation in indoor settings with others (ex. opening a window) 
  • Cleaning your hands often  
  • Covering sneezes and coughs 
References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

2. Public Health Agency of Canada. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

Disclaimer: The information regarding COVID-19 is changing constantly as more data become available. The information provided in this website is not meant to replace diabetes healthcare team or public health agencies recommendations, and is intended for information purposes only. Please check with your healthcare providers for any deviations from your care plans.


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