New Guidelines For Travel Regarding Coronavirus

Released on February 27, 2020

As Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is detected in new jurisdictions, Saskatchewan public health is updating recommendations to residents and health care providers related to travel to and from countries with confirmed cases.

“The number of countries that have confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to grow,” Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Saqib Shahab said.  “While the risk to residents travelling abroad remains low, people travelling to and from affected areas should monitor for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days after travel.  If you have these symptoms, contact HealthLine 811 for assessment and direction.”

The active travel health notices and travel advice are available at Health Canada - Latest Travel Health Advice page at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html.

The risk of COVID-19 to Saskatchewan residents remains low.  As of February 27, there are no laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province.

“We can still limit the spread of COVID-19 in Canada,” Shahab said.  “Monitoring your symptoms, staying home if you are ill and practicing personal protection like good hand hygiene (and respiratory etiquette) remains vital to containing the transmission.”

Advice for Travellers:

If you have travelled to Hubei in the last 14 days, self-isolate at home for 14 days after leaving the area and actively monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever and difficulty breathing.  Do not go to school, university, work, daycare, sporting or social events or religious gatherings.

If you have been in close contact with someone who is ill with COVID-19, you should self-isolate for 14 days from your last contact and actively monitor for symptoms.

If you have travelled from another affected area in the last 14 days but do not have any symptoms, you should monitor your health for 14 days after leaving the area, including taking your temperature twice daily.  If you develop symptoms, call HealthLine 811 for assessment and direction.  If you do not have cough, fever or difficulty breathing, you can go to work or school.

If you do not have a travel history to/from an affected area and do not have symptoms of a cough or fever, you can go to work or to school.

Protect Yourself from Respiratory Illness:
• Wash your hands frequently;
• Do not touch surfaces and then your mouth, eyes or nose;
• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze and dispose of them immediately; and
• Stay home if you become ill and prevent the spread of the illness.

Visit www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus for updated information on COVID-19, including the questions and answers for the public, care providers and testing surveillance.

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For more information, contact:

Colleen Book
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4083
Email: media@health.gov.sk.ca