COVID-19: Guidance documents

We have developed guidance for managing COVID-19. This guidance is for:

• health professionals who manage clinical care, and infection prevention and control within health care facilities
• health professionals who develop public health advice, policies and programs
• a broad range of sectors, including:
  • industry
  • youth and child care settings
  • community-based services (for example, services for homeless people)
  • death services
  • faith community leaders

The guidelines complement provincial and territorial public health efforts. They were developed jointly by:

• the Public Health Agency of Canada
• Health Canada
• federal, provincial and territorial governments
• health authorities
• public health experts

We based this guidance on the best current scientific knowledge, expert opinion and public health practices. It may change as we learn more.

Provinces and territories also have guidance for health professionals. These may include legislative, regulatory, policy and practice requirements, as well as professional guidelines. Their recommendations may differ, reflecting differences in the epidemic across the country.

If you are a health care provider looking for guidance for your profession, contact the licensing or accreditation organization in your province.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety may also have guidance for your sector.

General guidance

• How businesses and employees can stay safe while operating during COVID-19

Tools

• Reducing COVID-19 risk in community settings: A tool for operators
• Non-contact infrared thermometers
• Pandemics: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Public health measures

• Reducing COVID-19 risk in community settings: A tool for operators

Public health measures (general)

• Reducing COVID-19 risk in community settings: A tool for operators
• Summary of evidence supporting COVID-19 public health measures
• Adjusting public health measures in the context of COVID-19 vaccination
• Readiness criteria and indicators for easing restrictive public health measures
• Guidance for a strategic approach to lifting restrictive public health measures

Specific populations

• COVID-19 and people with disabilities in Canada

Ventilation

• Guidance on indoor ventilation during the pandemic
• At home: Using ventilation and filtration to reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19
• Using ventilation and filtration to reduce aerosol transmission of COVID-19 in long-term care homes

• Archived: Death care services and handling of dead bodies during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Public health ethics framework: A guide for use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada

General guidance

• COVID-19 pandemic guidance for the health care sector

Management

• Risk assessments for COVID-19 variants of concern
• Federal, provincial and territorial public health response plan for ongoing management of COVID-19

Planning for immunization

• Planning guidance for immunization clinics for COVID-19 vaccines
• Planning guidance for administration of COVID-19 vaccines
• COVID-19 immunization: Federal, provincial and territorial statement of common principles

Accessing care

• Expanding virtual care capacity in Canada's northern regions: Proposed approach for a rapid deployment
• Accessing COVID-19 public health support for First Nations communities

Emergency response

• Emergency response process for Indigenous communities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Healthy living

• Core principles for good healthy living messages in First Nations, Inuit and Métis remote and isolated northern communities

Lifting public health measures

• Guidance on re-opening northern, remote, isolated, and Indigenous communities

Long-term care

• COVID-19 guidance for long-term care facilities and nursing homes in Indigenous communities

Manufacturers and distributors

• COVID-19 health product industry: Information for health product manufacturers and distributors

Tools

• Non-contact infrared thermometers

Vehicle operators

• Federal safety guidance to protect drivers and limit the spread of COVID-19 in commercial vehicle operations