Page 8 - April-May 2020 Neat

8 COVID-19 - The Government of Canada

COVID-19

The Government of

Canada

www.canada.ca

Continued from Page 5

Mass Gatherings:

Mass gatherings are settings or events where
large numbers of people may be in close
contact. If they are not planned and managed
carefully, they can contribute to the
transmission of respiratory pathogens, such as
the virus that causes COVID-19. This can cause
additional strain on the health care system
during outbreaks.

The Public Health Agency of Canada
recommends that event organizers and planners
cancel or postpone in-person gatherings in
alignment with the recommendations of their
local public health authorities. Where possible,
they should offer virtual or online alternatives.

Aside from cancelling or postponing an event,
other measures to reduce infection risks during
mass gatherings include:

• avoiding shaking hands
• practising proper hygiene
• avoiding common sleeping areas
• discouraging attendees from sharing food or
drinks
• increasing physical distance between others
(ideally to 2 metres) by:
- broadcasting events
- offering virtual participation
- moving the venue from indoors to
outdoors
• eliminating self-serve buffet style eating at
social or religious gatherings
• encouraging ill people and people who are
at risk for severe illness not to attend
gatherings
• supporting hand hygiene by providing hand
sanitizers dispensers in prominent locations
• ensuring event organizers have
arrangements in place to safely isolate and
transport people who become ill onsite
• communicating clearly to attendees about
the risks and directing them to our advice on
reducing the spread of illness.

Rules and Regulations at all levels of
Government in Canada should be complied with
at all timess including social distancing.

Check all Federal, Provincial, Regional,
Municipal website for all updates pertaining to
Covid-19 that effect those in the specified
jurisdictions.

This article is with information fromthe
Government of Canada Public Health Serices
Website as of Friday, May 1, 2019 at 12:38 PM
Eastern - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-
health/services/diseases/2019-novel-
coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html.