Arrival Plan

The information below is subject to change at the discretion of the different levels of government in consultation with Public Health Authority.

 Pre-departure

1. Make housing arrangements for quarantine or isolation before you arrive in Canada.
2. All travelers entering Canada must provide traveler contact information through: the ArriveCAN mobile app.  Use this mobile app to speed up your arrival process in Canada and spend less time with border and public health officers. Submit your information easily and securely using the app within 48 hours before arriving in Canada. The app helps you to:

• • provide mandatory information that’s required for entry into Canada
  • reduce your wait time and points of contact at the border
  • provide the Government of Canada with voluntary updates on your quarantine compliance and the development of any symptoms during the 14 days after arriving in Canada

3. Before you travel, you must plan to quarantine or isolate in a suitable place. If you don’t, you may be assessed further by Border Security at the Canadian Border. If you can’t quarantine in your own home, consider other options within your financial means, such as:

• • Hotel
  • Motel
  • other paid housing friends or family, as long as you won’t expose anyone who: 

1. 1. 1. is not part of your travel group 
      2. is at risk of more severe outcomes of COVID-19

Arrival

Upon arrival the Government of Canada representatives will conduct health screenings at the time of entry to Canada and let you know if you need to quarantine or isolate.

Quarantine (self-isolate):  Quarantining is necessary for 14 days if you have no symptoms and any of the following apply:  you are returning from travel outside of Canada (this is a mandatory quarantine); if you had close contact with someone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19; or you have been told by the public health authority that you may have been exposed and need to quarantine.

 You will have completed and submitted the UGDSB ISP Quarantine or self isolation plan form.  All travelers, entering Canada, must follow these steps as described for mandatory quarantine or isolation:

• have arranged for a suitable place to quarantine or isolate, within your financial means
• go directly to your place of quarantine or isolation, without stopping anywhere
• wear a non-medical mask or face covering while travelling to the place where you’ll quarantine
• stay at your place of quarantine for 14 days (only leave to seek medical assistance if needed)
• not have any guests
• monitor your health for any signs of illness
• follow all other guidance provided by local public health authority – WDG Public Health Website
• Additional information including daily screening for COVID can be found here.

Please note:  If you need to seek testing or medical treatment, you must:

• contact your local public health authority and follow any additional instructions they provide
• wear a non-medical mask or face covering
• immediately return to your place of quarantine or isolation location after medical appointments

Some Tips While in Quarantine

Self-isolation may be physically and mentally challenging for you and you should have a well thought out plan for how you will manage and pass the time during the 14 days after your arrival.

• Stay Connected – Stay in communication with family, friends & host family while in self isolation.
• Monitor your Mental Health – Moving into a new country is exciting but staying in self-isolation can be challenging.
• When you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.
• Getting dressed in the morning can play a role in your mood throughout the day and lead to further productivity, optimism, motivation, and an overall improved attitude.
• Ensure that you are maintaining healthy hygiene by incorporating showers into your daily routine as well as brushing your teeth at least after every meal.
• Maintain your physical health; take the opportunity to try new workout routines such as yoga.
• Go to bed at a reasonable time; do not stay up all night! Get over the jet lag by staying awake during the day and sleeping only at night.
• Minimize screen time 2 hours before going to bed.
• Additional Resources: Self-Care 101      Reaching Out to talk     Self-Care during Covid-19

After Quarantine

Once you have completed the mandatory 14-day quarantine and have no symptoms of any illness an appointment for a COVID test can be booked. This test is performed by appointment at assessment centres and some pharmacies. Homestay or UGDSBISP staff will coordinate and explain the procedure for this test to you before you go for testing. Staff will wear masks and gloves and maintain physical distancing as they assist you through this process including arranging transportation. Afterward staff will also be following up on test results. Should you test positive students will be required to self-isolate again. Following a negative COVID result you can attend school.

Parents/students are responsible for performing a daily screening for COVID-19 symptoms BEFORE leaving for school using a self-assessment checklist. Students and staff are expected to stay home if symptoms or possible exposures are identified and parents or students must phone the school to inform them of the absence.

To assist with screening each day, parents/students will use the province’s COVID-19 school screening tool. Screening every day before leaving for school is one of the best ways to help keep our schools and community safe.

At school you must observe the COVID-19 prevention measures:

• Wash your hands frequently, wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
• Wear a face mask, when in school at all times. This is a protection measure for you, and of consideration for people around you. If you wear a disposable mask, make sure you dispose of them properly after use. If you wear a reusable mask, remember you are to wash and dry after every use.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hand. If using a tissue, dispose of the tissue in a plastic lined garbage container immediately.
• Physical distancing, where possible at school maintain a 2 metre distance from others
• Use disinfectant, clean surfaces you touch, including electronics.
• Follow the directions of your classroom teacher and school staff.

Managing COVID-19 at School

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a school setting, the school board is required to post information on the board website.