COVID-19

Covid-19 Information

Update of the current situation

COVID-19 poses a serious health threat, and the situation is changing every day. The risk varies within the same community, and from one community to another. However, given the number of cases in Canada, the risk to Canadians is considered high. We continue to reassess the risk to public health using the best available data as the situation evolves.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with provinces and territories, and with international partners, such as the World Health Organization, to monitor the situation closely. Global efforts are aimed at curbing the epidemic and preventing the spread of the virus.

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer works closely with the Chief Medical Officers of Health in the provinces and territories. Together, they are ensuring that all cases of COVID-19 in Canada continue to be promptly detected and managed, to protect the health of Canadians.

Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory performs diagnostic tests to detect the virus that causes COVID-19. His team works closely with those in public health laboratories in the provinces and territories, which are now able to perform tests for COVID-19.

Financial support

To individuals:

Employment insurance: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/prestations/ae.html
Canadian Economic Stimulus Benefit: The PCRE provides $ 500 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who have stopped working or whose income has been reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19 and who do not are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Start October 12, 2020
Canadian Emergency Benefit: ECPs are no longer available. If you still need financial support, check to see if you qualify for EI, or if after October 12, go see PCRE.
Helping Student Loans Borrowers: Changes have been made to the Canada Student Loans Program (CSLP) to allow more students to qualify for supports and higher amounts. students. The changes include:
- Double the Canada Study Grants for all eligible students in 2020-2021, up to $ 6,000 for those studying full-time and up to $ 3,600 for those studying part-time. Grants for students with dependents and students with permanent disabilities would also be doubled.
- expand student financial aid eligibility by eliminating contributions expected from students and spouses of students in 2020-2021.
- Increase the maximum weekly amount that can be provided to a student in 2020-2021 from $ 210 to $ 350.
For all other information about the financial support offered by the Government of Canada for individuals, you can call the Francophone community center of Sarnia / Lambton and we will be happy to direct you to the information you need.

To companies:

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy: https://www.canada.ca/en/agence-revenu/services/subvention/subvention-salariale-urgence.html
Support for the self-employed: The economic stimulus benefit provides $ 500 per week for up to 26 weeks to workers who have stopped working or whose income has been reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19 and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Start October 12, 2020.
For all other information about the financial support offered by the Government of Canada for businesses, you can call the Francophone community center of Sarnia / Lambton and we will be happy to direct you to the information you need.

Your health

You can do an online self-assessment of your symptoms, see the link here: https://ca.thrive.health/covid19/en

If you need to get tested for COVID-19, you can go directly to the Twin Bridges Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic in Sarnia at 153 Christina St. South. An employee of the clinic will be happy to serve you in French if you call the Francophone community center in Sarnia / Lambton to find out about availability.

You can participate in efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 by downloading the COVID Alert app available on the App store for IOS and on Google Play for Android.

Here are some of the most commonly reported symptoms:

new or worsening cough
shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
temperature equal to or greater than 38 ° C
feverish feeling
chills
fatigue or weakness
muscle pain or stiffness
loss of smell or taste
headache
gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting)
intense discomfort

Children tend to have abdominal symptoms and skin rashes or changes. Symptoms can appear up to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19.

COVID-19 is most often spread from an infected person to another person in the following ways:

Close Contact: Inhaling respiratory droplets generated by a person when they cough, sneeze, laugh or sing.
Contaminated surfaces: Touch an object with the virus on it, then touch your mouth, nose or eyes without washing your hands first.
Usual greetings: Give handshakes, hugs or kisses.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in communities and across the country, all Canadians should:
- avoid confined, crowded spaces and close contact
- Stay home and away from other people if they think they are sick
- Stick to a small, regular social circle and avoid gatherings in large groups
- Discuss with their employer the possibility of working from home
- Limit contact with people at higher risk, such as the elderly and people with underlying health conditions or with weakened immune systems
- Go out for exercise
- Maintain a distance of at least two arm's lengths (about two meters) between themselves and others
  - Household members (the people they live with) do not need to move away from each other unless they are sick or have traveled in the last 14 days

Travel and immigration

Border restrictions:

If you are a foreign national (and not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada), you will not be able to enter Canada if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
If a traveler is allowed entry, they will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Traveling within the country:

As of March 30, 2020, all airline passengers traveling to the country will be required to undergo a health assessment before boarding. You will not be allowed to board:
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19
- If you are covered by a provincial or local public health ordinance
- If you have been denied boarding in the past 14 days for a medical reason related to COVID-19
If you were unable to board a plane because you had symptoms of COVID-19, you will not be allowed to board another flight until:
- The end of the 14 day period and your symptoms or
- Presentation of a medical certificate confirming that your symptoms are not related to COVID-19

Travelers within Canada may be subject to additional provincial, territorial and local public health measures at their destination. In addition, they may be exempt from provincial or territorial border restrictions within Canada if the reason for their travel within Canada is to provide support to a business deemed essential:

By Public Safety Canada
within a province or territory

The Government of Canada asks citizens to avoid interprovincial travel as much as possible in order to limit the risk of spread. That being said, if you need to travel between Canadian provinces, you are encouraged to consult the destination province's COVID-19 information website, as each province may have specific rules. There is no isolation measure planned for people traveling between provinces for the moment.

Wearing non-medical masks and face covers:

All air passengers, with a few exceptions, must wear a non-medical mask or face covering when traveling. The following people should not wear a mask:
- Children under the age of two
- People who need help removing it
- People who provide a medical certificate attesting that they cannot wear a mask for medical reasons
You may also need to wear a non-medical mask or face covering in other federally regulated modes of transportation. Before you travel, check the effect of transportation measures on your plans and what to pack.
If you need more information on COVID-19, we invite you to call the Francophone community center in Sarnia or go to the Government of Canada website directly.