Returning Travellers Advised to Self-Isolate for 14 Days

Effective immediately, KFL&A Public Health is implementing new recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 locally. Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Officer of Health is advising all individuals who are returning from any travel outside of Canada to self-isolate for 14 days and to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. This recommendation is retroactive for any individuals that have returned from travel outside of Canada (e.g., if you returned 7 days ago, you would self-isolate for the next 7 days). This advisory is being put in place in order to reduce potential exposure to the community if an individual develops COVID-19 illness.

“We are advising all international travellers to take proactive measures and self-isolate while monitoring for symptoms, in order to help keep the local risk of COVID-19 as low as possible,” said Dr. Moore. “We are asking everyone in our community to practice social responsibility during this critical time, as these actions can protect your own health and those around you.  We have the opportunity to slow the spread of illness and ensure health care resources are available to those who need them most.”

Individuals who develop mild or moderate symptoms after travelling are asked to contact their health care provider for advice regarding next steps or present to the community COVID-19 Assessment Centre (located at Hotel Dieu Hospital - separate, well-marked entrance directly across from the Chown Memorial Parking Garage). Individuals having difficulty breathing or experiencing other severe symptoms, call 911 immediately and inform them of recent travel history.

While several returning travellers in KFL&A area have been advised to self-isolate as a proactive measure, there are currently no laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the community.

Public Health Ontario has prepared information regarding self isolation and self monitoring. Information is continually evolving, for the most up to date information visit www.Kflaph.ca/Coronavirus or www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus.

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