Top-10-COVID-Rules-to-Live-By: A joint statement on living safely with COVID-19

You cannot follow the rules if you do not know what they are.

With so many announcements about COVID-19-from stages of reopening to personal precautions-it can be hard to know what rules are currently in place. This statement clarifies common misperceptions and repeats basic actions that by now may be common knowledge. The Top-10-COVID-Rules-to-Live-By will keep us going for the long haul and will go a long way to protect our health, our health care system, our schools, and our jobs and economy. The virus simply cannot spread easily if everyone knows the basic rules and follows them.

To keep up-to-date and for more details on specific circumstances, visit phsd.ca/COVID-19.

Top-10-COVID-Rules-to-Live-By

1. Stick to your social circle of no more than 10 people

Your social circle can only include up to 10 people and must always be with the same people. These are the people who you can get close to without a face covering; they are the people who have all decided to be part of your social circle and only your social circle.

2. Keep 2 metres distance from anyone not in your social circle

Continue to practise physical distancing in all settings. For example, people at your table in restaurants and bars must be those in your social circle. Stay 2 metres away from everyone else, especially when it's not possible to cover your face.

3. Use your face covering in enclosed indoor public spaces and when you can't keep 2 metres distance outdoors

Keep a face covering (i.e. mask, scarf, bandana, etc.) with you so you can use it when you need it.

4. Limit gatherings of any size

The provincial gathering limits have increased, but the public health measures haven't changed. Ask yourself if the gathering is necessary and if so, assess your risk and determine how you can make the activity safer.

5. Limit travel

As the province and country reopen, more area residents are being infected by being exposed to the virus through travel outside our region. Ask yourself if the travel is necessary and if so, plan ahead on how you will keep COVID-safe.

6. Wash your hands

Wash your hands often and when visibly dirty, for 15 seconds. Make a habit of carrying hand sanitizer with you.

7. Stay home when ill

The easiest way to reduce transmission is to stay home. If you have a COVID-19 symptom, get tested.

8. Get tested

If you have a COVID-19 symptom, if you are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, or if you are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through your work, contact an assessment centre and get tested. Remember, you can still be infected after a negative test. A negative result should not be treated as a free pass to let your guard down. Continue to take precautions.

9. Work remotely

Continue to work remotely, where possible. Reducing our time in the workplace reduces the possibility of introducing the virus to new environments.

10. Practice kindness, patience, and gratitude-we are all in this together

Changing our behaviour and doing things in new ways takes planning and practice. Think ahead. Assess your risk and live by the rules. The Top-10-COVID-Rules-to-Live-By are simple yet powerful actions that will get us through this pandemic safely.

Together we learn, together we adapt, and together we will be proud of how we successfully pulled through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Medical Officer of Health, Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Chief Paul Pedersen, Greater Sudbury Police Service

Mayor Brian Bigger, City of Greater Sudbury

Ed Archer, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Greater Sudbury

Joseph Nicholls, General Manager of Community Safety, City of Greater Sudbury

Dominic Giroux, President and Chief Executive Officer, Health Sciences North and Health Sciences North Research Institute

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Media Contacts:
 
Public Health Sudbury & Districts
Communications
705.522.9200, ext. 484
 
Greater Sudbury Police Service
Kaitlyn Dunn
Corporate Communications
Coordinator
705.675.9171, ext. 5751
 
City of Greater Sudbury 
communications@greatersudbury.ca
 
Health Sciences North
Jason Turnbull 
Media Specialist 
jturnbull@hsnsudbury.ca
705.507.3677