Coronavirus FAQs

If you are symptomatic, positive, or a close contact, please visit our Information for Symptomatic, Positive or Close Contacts webpage.

If you have questions regarding provincial testing and access, and/or would like additional guidance regarding self-isolation or possible/confirmed COVID-19 exposure, please call the Provincial Testing and Isolation Information Line at 1-888-777-0730, available Monday to Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Face Coverings

For information regarding face coverings, please visit our webpage.

COVID-19 Testing

Please visit our COVID-19 Testing & Results webpage for information.

Information for Businesses

What are the current Provincial public health measures?

Please visit the Province's website for information.

What are the guidelines for visiting in long-term care homes?

Please consult Ontario’s guidelines for visiting long-term care homes.

What should I be doing to ensure my business is safe for my customers and employees?

[Guidance documents]

BCHU has developed guidance documents to assist local businesses to operate safely.

Child Care Centre Guidance

Pools and Waterfront Guidance

Life Saving Society - Guide to Reopening Pools and Waterfront

Congregate Living Facilities

Long-Term Care/Retirement Homes

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Posters for Businesses

The Province has also released safety guidelines to protect workers, customers and the general public from COVID-19.

The Ontario government is providing employers with a new general workplace guide, which will help them develop a safety plan to better protect workers, customers and clients. The new downloadable toolkit offers tips on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as more people get back on the job. The new guide will help each employer create a safety plan that is right for their own unique workplace. It includes information on the use of face coverings, as well as applying controls in the workplace, from most important to least important. It also includes information on what personal protective equipment may be needed for workers.

These resources are available for many different sectors. They are designed to help employers and workers better understand how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To assist in reviewing any symptoms or recent history, employees should review a screening questionnaire before each work shift.

Businesses who have questions about closures of at-risk workplaces or how emergency measures impact their business or employment can call the Stop the Spread Business Information Line at 1-888-444-3659.

Where can I buy personal protective equipment for my business?

To support business owners, workers and the economic recovery of the province, the Province has launched a website to provide businesses with information on personal protective equipment (PPE) suppliers. The Workplace PPE Supplier Directory has an up-to-date list of Ontario companies and business associations that are ready to supply personal protective equipment.

Schools: Information for Parents/Guardians

My child has a symptom that may be related to COVID-19. What should I do?

Please complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care to determine next steps.

My child did not pass the screen this morning. What do I do?

Please follow the next steps as stated on the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care. The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to school if we have not followed them as a case or contact.

Does my child need to be tested?

PCR self-collection kits or Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) may be provided by your child’s elementary or secondary students if they develop symptoms while at school. PCR and Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) are at the parent’s discretion.

Please complete the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool to determine when your child can return to school.

Can my child go to school returning from international travel?

Under current federal travel requirements, upon return from international travel, individuals must, wear a mask at all times when in public spaces (including schools and child care), maintain a list of all close contacts for your first 14 days in Canada, and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

My child has been identified as a high-risk close contact of a COVID-19 case and has been dismissed from school. Now what?

Use the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool to assess your child or yourself for symptoms. The results will tell you:

if your child should go to school or stay home
what to do next

You can download, print or email the results through the tool.

My child was sent home from school because they have symptoms. What do I do?

The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to school if we have not followed them as a case or contact. Please complete the COVID-19 Screening Tool for Children in School and Child Care to determine next steps.

I (parent/guardian) have a symptom related to COVID-19. Does my child(ren) need to stay home from school?

Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms should isolate away from household members where possible to avoid ongoing exposure.

Household members who do not have COVID-19 symptoms are not required to isolate if they are:

Under 18 years old and are fully vaccinated
18 + and have received their COVID-19 booster
Previously positive for COVID-19 (they tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days and have completed their isolation period)

All the above household members should monitor for symptoms for 10 days following last exposure. During the self-monitoring period, close contacts must wear a well-fitted mask in all public settings and avoid activities where they need to take off their mask (for example, playing a wind instrument in music class or playing high-contact sports).

If your child develops COVID-19 symptoms, please complete the COVID-19 screening tool for children in school and child care to determine next steps.

Children under 5 who do not have symptoms and are household contacts are required to isolate for 5 days.

For more information, please visit our Information for Positive Cases and Close Contacts webpage.

I don't have a family doctor or my family doctor is not able to see me. Where can I go?

Child Care Facilities: Information for Parents/Guardians

My child has a symptom that may be related to COVID-19. What should I do?

Please complete the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool to determine next steps.

My child did not pass the screen this morning. What do I do?

Please complete the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool to determine next steps.

Does my child need to be tested?

Most children will not be able to obtain a PCR test if they are not part of the eligible group. They can be tested using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at the parent’s discretion. Parents are not required to report the test results to the child care centre; however, parents are encouraged to keep children at home for a period of 5 days after test date or from symptom onset, whichever is the longest.

My doctor said my child needs to be tested for COVID-19. What do I do?

My child was sent home from child care because they have symptoms, but I don't believe it's COVID-19.
What do I do?

Please discuss the next steps with your healthcare provider and follow the steps outlined in the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool before returning to childcare.

My child was sent home from child care because they have symptoms. What do I do?

Parents are to follow the steps outlined in the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool before returning to child care.

I don't have a family doctor or my family doctor is not able to see me:

The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to childcare if we have not followed them as a case. Please complete the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool if you have not already done so.

To speak to a nurse, please call Telehealth Ontario: Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000 or Toll-free TTY: 1-866-797-0007.

Who can tell me when my child can return to daycare?

The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to child care.

Parents are to follow the steps outlined in the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool before returning to child care.

How long does my child need to stay home? When can my child return to childcare?

The Brant County Health Unit is not able to assess your child's symptoms or provide clearance for your child to return to child care Please complete the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool to determine next steps.

Parents are not required to report the test results to the centre; however, parents are encouraged to keep children at home for a period of 5 days after test date or from symptom onset, whichever is the longest.

Note: Symptoms need to be improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if your child is experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea) before returning to the child care centre. If you’re unsure of the exclusion policy to follow, please contact your child care centre to get directions.

My child was sent home from daycare. Do I need to isolate? Do I need to stay home from work? Do other members in my household need to self-isolate?

Please refer to our website for isolation periods for your child and household members. Additional information can be found on the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool.

I (parent/guardian) have this symptom. Does my child(ren) need to stay home from daycare?

Please refer to our website for isolation periods for your child and household members. Additional information can be found on the COVID-19 school and child care screening tool.

My child care centre provided isolation directions to us, but I want to get directions from the health unit:

The BCHU is no longer involved in case and contact management in child care centres. Child care centres follow provincial directions from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. If you need clarification regarding the directions provided, please contact the child care centres directly.

Please note that in addition to following the provincial directions, child care centres reserve the right to also implement their own organizational directions.

General FAQs

How do I safely use a taxi/private transportation service during COVID-19?

To reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, we are recommending that anyone using Taxis/private transportation services follow the recommendations below:

Before taking a taxi or private transportation service, complete a self-screen for COVID-19. Do not proceed with the trip if you do not pass the screening or feel unwell.
Avoid taking pooled rides or sitting with multiple passengers who are outside of your immediate household.
Passengers should sit in the seat furthest from the driver (e.g., in the back seat on the right side) to create physical distance.
If weather permits, roll down the windows and ask the driver to avoid using the recirculated air option for the car's ventilation during your trip.
If you are able, consider handling your own personal bags and belongings during pick-up and drop-off. If assistance is required, remember to perform hand hygiene after handling your belongings.
If possible, consider contactless transactions that limit or eliminate close contact and the sharing of items.

Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 or are COVID-19 positive and need to travel for essential health care appointments should drive themselves or ask a friend or family member to take them if at all possible. If an individual needs to take a taxi/ride share, they should follow the applicable public health guidance.

What precautions should I take while getting groceries?

Wash your hands frequently (including before and after handling groceries), avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cover coughs or sneezes, clean and disinfect surfaces, and stay home if you are sick.

Currently, there are no reports of COVID-19 transmission through handling groceries or similar items, or foodborne-related illnesses.

The majority of COVID-19 cases have been linked to person-to-person transmission through close direct contact to someone with respiratory symptoms or close contact with a case in the incubation period who was later confirmed to have COVID-19.

Practice physical distancing, when possible, including while at the grocery store. Limit trips to the grocery store to once per week. This helps limit the number of people in the store and assists with physical distancing.

Wear a face covering to reduce the risk of transmission.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Use the Provincial screening tool to identify if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

Can my pets spread or catch COVID-19?

There have been limited reports of animals becoming infected with COVID-19. There is currently no evidence that pets or other domestic animals play a significant role in the spread of COVID-19.

If you are sick, it is recommended that you avoid contact with pets and other animals, just like you would other people, until more is known.

Learn more by accessing Public Health Ontario's fact sheet.

Returning travellers

For the most up-to-date information regarding travellers returning to Canada, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Links and Resources

Web resource:

Other resources:

Reports

Coronavirus FAQs

[Guidance documents]