Coronavirus (COVID-19)
National and International Guidance Documents

Public Health Agency of Canada CORONAVIRUS HOTLINE 1-833-784-4397

Canadian and International guidelines, policies and standards that Infection Prevention and Control professionals may use to support their own documentation and best practices during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Government of Canada 

• COVID-19 Resources and Checklists (PHAC, Accreditation Canada and HSO)
• National case definition: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Mathematical modelling and COVID-19
• Federal/Provincial/Territorial Public Health Response Plan for Ongoing Management of COVID-19
• Outbreak Update
• COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool and App
• COVID-10 Symptoms and Treatments
• COVID-19 signs, symptoms and severity of disease: A clinician guide
• COVID-19: Main modes of transmission
• COVID-19 Prevention and risks
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Canada’s Response
• Fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada during COVID-19
• COVID-19 and travel: Exemptions from testing and quarantine
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel restrictions, exemptions and advice 
• Chief Public Health Officer of Canada's Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2020 -From risk to resilience: An equity approach to COVID-19 
• Race-Based Data Collection and Health Reporting
• Pan-Canadian COVID-19 Testing and Screening Guidance: Technical guidance and implementation plan
• Pan-Canadian virtual care priorities in response to COVID-19
• Mental Illness during the Pandemic: Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health
• COVID-19 and deaths in older Canadians: Excess mortality and the impacts of age and comorbidity
• Government of Canada announces additional easing of border measures effective April 25

Omicron

• Update on COVID-19 in Canada: Epidemiology and Modelling
• Update with Consideration of Omicron – Interim COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Government of Canada announces additional measures to contain the spread of the Omicron variant in the health care setting when COVID-19 is suspected or confirmed– December 23, 2021

COVID-19 Guidance in Healthcare Settings

• COVID-19 Pandemic Guidance for the Health Care Sector
• COVID-19 for Health Professionals
• Pan-Canadian COVID-19 Testing and Screening Guidance: Technical guidance and implementation plan
• COVID-19 Vaccination Tool Kit for Health Care Providers
• Guidance on the prioritization of key populations for COVID-19 immunization
• Routine practices and additional precautions for preventing the transmission of infection in healthcare settings
• Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for acute healthcare settings
• Clinical management of patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: Second Interim guidance
• Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for outpatient and ambulatory care settings
• Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19: Interim Guidance for Long Term Care Homes
• Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19: Interim Guidance for Home Care Settings
• Interim guidance: Death care services and handling of dead bodies during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic
• Infection prevention and control recommendations for medical evacuation by aircraft of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 from remote and isolated communities in Canada’s North 
• Guidance for repeated PCR testing in individuals previously positive for COVID-19
• Using Ventilation and filtration to reduce aerosol transmission of COVID-19 in long-term care homes
• SARS-CoV-2 variants: National definitions, classifications and public health actions
• Ventilation helps protect against the spread of COVID-19
• Public health management of cases and contacts associated with COVID-19  

COVID-19 Guidance During Pregnancy

• Statement on Pregnant Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic (SOGC)
• COVID-19 and Pregnancy (SOGC)
• Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy (SOGC)

Laboratory and Supply Chain Guidance during the COVID-19 Pandemic

• National laboratory testing indication guidance for COVID-19
• Testing devices for COVID-19: Overview
• Interim guidance on the use of rapid antigen detection tests for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection
• National polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing indication guidance for COVID-19
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety -Coronavirus
• Supplying the Canadian healthcare sector in response to COVID-19
• Updated requirements for COVID-19 drug authorizations
• Interim Order No. 2 Respecting the Importation and Sale of Medical Devices for Use in Relation to COVID-19
• Laboratory response checklist for infectious disease outbreaks—preparedness and response considerations for emerging threats
• Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network: Prioritized support for northern, remote and isolated communities in Canada
• Guidance for repeated PCR testing in individuals previously positive for COVID-1
• Authorized medical devices for uses related to COVID-19: List of authorized testing devices
• COVID-19 rapid antigen testing devices that use serial testing for individuals without symptoms: Notice to industry
• Testing for COVID-19 in vaccinated population
• Interim Order No. 3 Respecting the Importation and Sale of Medical Devices for Use in Relation to COVID-19

COVID-19 Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer (ABHR)

• Interim guide on the production of ethanol for use in alcohol-based hand sanitizers
• COVID-19 Technical Brief: Masking and face shields for full duration of shifts in acute healthcare settings
• COVID-19 medical masks and respirators: Overview
• COVID-19 medical masks and respirators: Information for health professionals
• Safety and performance specifications for respirators during COVID-19: Guidance for Canadian manufacturers
• COVID-19 medical masks and respirators: How to get authorization
• Optimizing the use of masks and respirators during the COVID-19 outbreak
• 3D Printing and other Manufacturing of Personal Protective Equipment in Response to COVID-19 

• Public health management of cases and contacts associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Public Health Guidance for Schools (K-12) and Childcare Programs (COVID-19)
• Guidance for a strategic approach to lifting restrictive public health measures 

• Risk mitigation tool for outdoor recreation spaces and activities operating during the COVID-19 pandemic 
• Guidance for post-secondary institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Risk mitigation tool for child and youth settings operating during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces during COVID-19
• Risk mitigation tool for outdoor recreation spaces and activities operating during the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 and people with disabilities in Canada
• COVID-19: Organized summer activities for children and youth
• COVID-19: Guidance on indoor ventilation during the pandemic
• Evidence to support safe return to clinical practice by oral health professionals in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: A report prepared for the Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada 
• A framework for risk assessment and mitigation in community settings during the COVID-19 pandemic 
• Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada
• Guidance for providers of services for people experiencing homelessness (in the context of COVID-19)
• Health Canada Toolkit: COVID-19 and substance use
• Advice for essential retailers during COVID-19 pandemic
• Risk mitigation tool for workplaces/businesses operating during the COVID-19 pandemic
• What increases and decreases the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace
• COVID-19 health product industry: Information for health product manufacturers and distributors
• COVID-19: Guidance Material for Air Operators Managing Travellers during the Check-In Procedure for Flights Departing from an Aerodrome in Canada
• COVID-19 pre-departure testing and Transport Canada’s Interim Order
• COVID-19: Mandatory hotel stay for all air travellers arriving in Canada
• Risk mitigation tool for gatherings and events operating during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak
• COVID-19: Safety advice for private indoor gatherings
• COVID-19: Plan a safe holiday or celebration
• At home: Using ventilation and filtration to reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19
• Wider impacts of COVID-19: A look at how substance-related harms across Canada have changed during the pandemic
• Evaluating COVID-19 disease transmission and public health measures in schools: Outbreak investigation guidancePlanning for the 2021-2022 school year in the context of COVID-19 vaccination
• Industry Advisory Roundtable on COVID-19 testing: Taking stock and looking forward
•  Adjusting public health measures in the context of COVID-19 vaccination
• COVID-19 Vaccine Communications Toolkit (Children, Youth and Young Adults)
• Public health management of cases and contacts associated with COVID-19  

COVID-19 Awareness Resources

• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Summary of Assumptions
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Awareness resources (Posters and Videos)
• COVID-19 Prevention and risks & False and misleading claims
• Know the facts about coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Information sheet - Travellers returning to Canada (includes contact information for public health authorities in each province and territory)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Be prepared factsheet
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Being prepared
• Novel Coronavirus infection: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• People who are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19
• COVID-19 antibody (serology) testing: Information for patients
• COVID-19: We're doing this for this (closed captions in other languages)
• COVID-19: How vaccines are developed
• Vaccine development and approval in Canada
• People who are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes from COVID-19

Alerts, Recalls and Advisories

2022

• Jan 7/22: Casirivimab and Imdevimab – High Risk of Treatment Failure Due to Circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant

2021

• Nov 19: COMIRNATY (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA, also referred to as Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine): New Formulation for Use in Children Aged 5 Years to Less Than 12 Years
• Oct 22: Health Canada warns about certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Oct 19: Ivermectin not authorized to prevent or treat COVID-19; may cause serious health 
• Oct 8: Health Canada warns about certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risk
• Sept 23: Health Canada suspends licence and requested a recall for PURE75 gel hand sanitizer due to potential serious health risks
• Sept 14: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks 
• Aug 24: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks 
• Aug 6: Health Canada updates Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine label to reflect very rare reports of Bell's Palsy
• Jul 13: Update: Graphene face masks by Shandong Shengquan New Materials Co. Ltd. can resume sale in Canada; Health Canada found no health risks of concern with these 
• Jul 12: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Jun 30: Health Canada updates Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine labels to include information on myocarditis and pericarditis
• Jun 29: AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD: Risk of Capillary Leak Syndrome
• Jun 22: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• May 12: Natural Concepts Sanitizing Gel
• May 10: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Apr 28: Bamlanivimab - Potential Risk of Treatment Failure Due to Circulation of Resistant SARS-CoV-2 Variants
• Apr 26: Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine and the Risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia
• Apr 26: Importation of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine with Two Types of English-only Vial and Carton Labels
• Apr 19: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Apr 14: Health Canada provides update on the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines
• Apr 2: Face masks that contain graphene may pose health risks
• Mar 31: Importation of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine with English-only Vial and Carton Labels (US-Labelled Supply)
• Mar 24: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Mar 24: AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD: Risk of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia
• Mar 19: Counterfeit 3M N95 respirators
• Mar 15: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Mar 11: Adverse events in Europe following immunization with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
• Mar 8: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: Updated Storage and Transportation Conditions
• Mar 8: Authorization of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine with English-only Vial and Carton Labels
• Feb 22: COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna: Updated English-only Global Vial and Carton Labels and Post-Market Adverse Reaction Information
• Feb 17: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Feb 9: Important Safety Information on Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine: Updated Dosage and Administration and Post-Market Adverse Reaction Information - Pfizer Canada ULC
• Feb 8: Unauthorized hand sanitizers and hard surface disinfectants sold by Protegel Quebec Inc. and Hangel Canada Inc. may pose health risks
• Feb 3: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Jan 29: Testing confirms Bio Life hand sanitizer poses health risks; products recalled across Canada
• Jan 22: Hand sanitizers labelled as "Anti-Microbe" and/or with DIN 02248351 recalled because they may pose health risks, particularly to children

2020

• Dec 23: Authorization of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine with English-only Vial and Carton Labels
• Dec 22: Personal protective equipment sold by Maskopia (formerly Medkem Canada Inc.) may pose serious health risks
• Dec 16: Health Canada warns Canadians not to buy COVID-19 vaccines sold online or from unauthorized sources
• Dec 12: Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Health Canada recommendations for people with serious allergies
• Dec 11: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Nov 18: Ultraviolet (UV) lights and wands falsely claiming to disinfect against COVID-19
• Nov 13: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Nov 2: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Oct 28: Recall of Daily Shield Hand Sanitizers across Canada
• Oct 19: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Oct 18: Counterfeit Daily Shield Hand Sanitizer 
• Oct 13: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Sep 28: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Sept 15: Importation of US Clinical Trial-Labelled Remdesivir for Injection Due to Shortage of Canadian-Labelled Remdesivir
• Sept 14: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Sep 4: Advisory on hand sanitizers and children’s safety: What you need to know
• Sep 4: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Aug 21: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that contain technical-grade ethanol
• Aug 4: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Jul 28: Remdesivir authorized with conditions for the treatment of patients in Canada with severe COVID-19 symptoms
• Jul 21: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Jul 6: Counterfeit respirators
• Jun 30: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Jun 24: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that contain technical-grade ethanol
• Jun 10: Risk of poisoning from hand sanitizers sold in beverage containers
• Jun 6: Recall of certain hand sanitizers that may pose health risks
• Jun 1: Health Canada advises Canadians to help support the continued supply of medications
• May 27: Consumers advised to stop using Akwaton International Multipurpose Wipes
• May 27: Some units of Triton Hand Sanitizer containing technical-grade ethanol sold in Canada without the necessary risk information
• May 25: Importation of US-Labelled Rocuronium Bromide Injection distributed by Avir Pharma Inc. Due to Shortage of Canadian-labelled Rocuronium
• May 19: Importation of Fresenius Propoven 2% due to Shortage of Canadian Labelled Propofol Injection 1% Products
• May 19: Importation of Spanish-Labelled Salbutamol Aldo-Union inhalers due to Shortage of Canadian-Labelled Salbutamol
• May 13: Important Safety Information - Importation of Teva UK-labelled Salamol CFC-Free (Salbutamol Sulfate) Inhaler due to Shortage
• May 11: Important safety information for certain respirator masks
• May 7: Unauthorized test kits claiming to diagnose or detect COVID-19 put your health at risk
• May 6: Importation of US-Labelled Ketamine Hydrochloride for Injection due to Potential Shortage of Canadian-labelled Ketamine
• May 1: Clinical trial looking at the potential use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19
• Apr 25: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine can have serious side effects. These drugs should be used only under the supervision of a physician
• Apr 17: Shortage of salbutamol inhalers in Canada
• Apr 15: Health Canada is temporarily authorizing the use of technical-grade ethanol in hand sanitizer products: Always follow the label directions when using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
• Apr 14: Fraudulent and unauthorized N95 respirators may not protect consumers against COVID-19

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• CDC - Coronavirus COVID-19 
• How COVID-19 Spreads
• Information for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Known or Patients Under Investigation for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in a Healthcare Setting
• CDC Situation Summary
• New Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19
• Interim Guidance for Public Health Personnel Evaluating Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) and Asymptomatic Close Contacts of Confirmed Cases at Their Home or Non-Home Residential Settings
• Interim Guidance for Collection and Submission of Postmortem Specimens from Deceased Persons Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19, February 2020
• Evaluating and Reporting Persons Under Investigation (PUI)
• Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE
• Release of Stockpiled N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators Beyond the Manufacturer-Designated Shelf Life: Considerations for the COVID-19 Response
• Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators using Contingency and Crisis Capacity Strategies
• Healthcare Infection Control Guidance
• Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure Guidance
• Inpatient Obstetric Healthcare Guidance
• Clinical Care Guidance
• Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities (CDC)
• Home Care Guidance
• Considerations for Alternate Care Sites
• Guidance for EMS
• Guidance for Dental Settings (CDC)
• Collection and Submission of Postmortem Specimens from Deceased Persons with Known or Suspected COVID-19, March 2020 (Interim Guidance)
• Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID -19
• Options to Reduce Quarantine for Contacts of Persons with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Using Symptom Monitoring and Diagnostic Testing
• Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
• COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People to Prevent Serious Illness, Deaths, and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes from COVID-19

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World Health Organization/Organisation mondiale de la santé

• WHO -Coronavirus COVID-19 Outbreak
• COVID-19 Global Cases (WHO)
• Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions
• WHO Online Course: Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) 
• WHO Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: Infection prevention and control
• Criteria for releasing COVID-19 patients from isolation
• WHO Rational use of personal protective equipment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
• Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Video
• Situation Reports
• Outbreak News
• WHO Disease Outbreak News (Jan 21/20)

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Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology

• APIC Coronavirus Fact Sheet
• APIC COVID-19: Long-Term Care Resources

European Centre for Disease Control

• Algorithm for management of contacts of probable or confirmed COVID-19 cases
• Advice to healthcare workers: management of patients with COVID-19 infection
• Advice for travellers: outbreak of a novel coronavirus COVID-19
• Risk assessment: outbreak of acute respiratory syndrome associated with a novel coronavirus

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Other Guidelines

• COVID-19 Resources (Canadian Nurses Association)
• COVID-19 Recommendations (Choosing Wisely)
• COVID-19: Recommendations for School Reopening (Sick Kids)
• COVID-19 and Pregnancy (SOGC)
• Briefing Note on Addressing Mental Health and Psychosocial Aspects of COVID-19 Outbreak (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)
• National Interim Guidelines for Funeral Directors on managing infection risks when handling deceased individuals with confirmed COVID-19 (Health Protection and Surveillance Centre)
• ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols (ASHRAE)
• Policy Guidance for the Reintegration of Caregivers as Essential Care Partners (CFHI & CPSI)
• Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy (SOGC)
• Statement on Pregnant Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic (SOGC)
• Recommendations on the use of COVID-19 Vaccines
• Recommendation on the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age (NAC)

Dentistry

• Evidence to support safe return to clinical practice by oral health professionals in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: A report prepared for the Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada (PHAC)
• COVID-19 (Canadian Dental Association)
• COVID-19 (Canadian Dental Hygienists Association)
• COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Dental Care (Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario)
• COVID-19: Guidance for the Use of Teledentistry (Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario)
• COVID-19: Guidance on Returning to Dental Hygiene Practice (College of Dental Hygenists of Ontario)
• COVID-19 Recommendations (Canadian Dental Assistants Association)
• Recommendations for Dental Hygienists and Canadian Dental Assistants During COVID-19 Outbreak (Canadian Dental Assistants Association)
• Transitioning Oral Healthcare to Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Response Plan (BC College of Dental Surgeons/College of Dental Hygienists of BC)
• Expectations and Pathway for Patient Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Alberta Dental Association & College)
• Interim IPC Guidelines Related to COVID-19 Management (Manitoba Dental Association
• COVID-19 Operational Plan for the Practice of Dentistry in the Province of New Brunswick (New Brunswick Dental Association 
• Pandemic Plan COVID-19 For Emergency and Urgent Care (Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association)
• COVID-19: Managing Infection Risks During In-Person Dental Care (Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario)
• COVID-19 Pandemic: Level 2 IPC Interim Protocol Update (Saskatchewan College of Dental Surgeons)
• Guidance for Dental Settings (CDC)

Prevention & Management of Skin Damage Related to PPE (NSWOCC and CNA)

• Prevention & Management of Skin Damage Related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Best practice recommendation document
• Quick Reference Enabler
• Educational video
• Teaching powerpoint