Government of Canada releases new travel advisories for northern Italy, Iran and South Korea (February 26, 2020)

Update: As of March 2, 2020, the risk level for Iran and Northern Italy is now Level 3 (avoid all non-essential travel). South Korea and Japan remain at Level 2.

Government of Canada releases new travel advisories for northern Italy, Iran and South Korea (February 26, 2020)

The Government of Canada has updated its travel advisories for northern Italy, South Korea and Iran. The risk level for travel to all three countries is currently at Level 2, which advises travellers to take special measures beyond standard travel health precautions.

Recommendations include:

  • Avoid spending time in large crowds or crowded areas
  • Avoid contact with sick people, especially if they have fever, cough or difficulty breathing
  • Be aware of the local situation and follow local public health advice
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water aren’t available.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with your arm to reduce the spread of germs.
  • If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards.
  • If you become sick while travelling, avoid contact with others except to see a health care professional. If you feel sick during your flight to Canada, tell the flight attendant or a Canada border services officer.
  • Monitor your health for 14 days after you get home. If you develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing within 14 days, isolate yourself from others as quickly as possible, and immediately contact a health care professional or public health authority.

For more information and updated travel advisories, go to the Government of Canada’s travel health notices website.

Ontario confirms resolved case of 2019 novel coronavirus (February 19, 2020)

On February 12,  Ontario’s chief medical officer of health confirmed that the province’s third case of 2019 novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19, has been resolved. Following two negative test results at least 24 hours apart, the affected person is no longer infectious and the case is considered resolved.

As of February 16, 2020, eight cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in Canada: three in Ontario and five in British Columbia.

The  provincial government provides information on 2019 novel coronavirus in multiple languages here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus#section-11